Dear friends,
Music touches our lives in so many ways. It brings us to tears. It brings us joy. It inspires us. It moves us. And though music is only one component of our worship, in this strange time of quarantine, we long for its pulse in our lives. On this Easter Sunday, we wanted to bring you a small “playlist” of some of our favorite Easter hymns/songs to serve as a companion to you this day. May you find hope and joy on this Resurrection Sunday! Cecilia Bartoli - singing Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate - Alleluja From Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers: This is one of my favorite Mozart pieces, and perfect for Easter. I’ve heard our own Lorna Hildebrandt sing this piece, and it fills my heart with joy every time. Enjoy -- Our Lord is Risen! Ēriks Ešenvalds - Only in Sleep - sung by the Trinity College Choir From Rev. Melisa Anne Rogers: I don’t remember how I came across this, but it is quiet and gentle and stirring... a nice way to end a joyful Easter day as you head into slumber. Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah - Shrek Soundtrack From Rev. Evans McGowan: This song always gives me comfort in times of grief and isolation. The story of how this song came to be is expertly and creatively told by Malcolm Gladwell on his podcast Revisionist History, which I highly recommended! Here is the podcast episode, for those who are interested: http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/07-hallelujah All Glory, Laud and Honour - sung by Kings College Cambridge - Easter 2013 From Linda Robinson, Office Manager: This is one of my favorite hymns. Inneggiamo, il Signor non è morto (We praise, the Lord is not dead) From Linda Robinson: For the opera lovers. This is called the Easter Hymn because the scene takes place on Easter. It uses the Catholic Regina coeli (Queen of Heaven) text, too. Unclouded Day, arr. Shawn Kirchner - sung by Conspirare From Rev. Andrew Frazier: This piece alludes to our true home with God and the day when death will be no more and God will wipe away every tear. Nunc dimittis, Arvo Pärt - sung by The Sixteen From Rev. Andrew Frazier: The text of this piece is the Song of Simeon from Luke 2:29-32 and speaks of Jesus in terms of “salvation,” “light,” and “glory.” Musically, the piece moves from a minor key to a major key, a movement that mirrors the journey through Holy Week to the joyful day of resurrection. Pilgrim's Hymn, Stephen Paulus - Sung by University of Utah Singers From Rev. Ruhf: This piece reminds us of the goodness of God and how God loves and cares for us before we ever call on God. El Peregrino De Emaus, Rafael Jiminez From Rev. Ruhf: Translation: “Tell me, friends, why look so troubled in your anxious conversation?” At these words, I stopped astonished by the stranger’s kindly question. Don’t you know what just happened on a hill near Jerusalem: where they crucified one Jesus shedding pure and sinless blood? For this reason, I am disheartened as I walk the Emaus road. Refrain As I was grieving on the road, a traveling stranger joined in my journey. Now in his breaking of the bread my tearfilled eyes behold the risen Christ. He’s been dead for nearly three days; and my hopes, as well are dying, though I’ve heard a group of women sought his tomb this very morning. They said they heard angels voices who announced that he was alive. But no one has found his body, and my fearful doubts have grown. For this reason, I am disheartened as I walk the Emaus road. Refrain “Foolish people!” he responded, “slow of heart in your believing how the prophets all foretold this; yet instead, you stand here grieving! Before he could enter glory, the Messiah must suffer loss.” At these words our hearts were burning hearing the scripture’s truth unfold. So we urged him to linger with us resting by the Emaus road. Refrain He began to travel onward, as the western sun was setting. We invited him to join us and to share a table blessing. Our eyes all at once were opened, though he vanished from our sight. We had seen our Friend and Savior in the bread he blessed and broke. Then we knew that the Christ had risen for he graced the Emaus road. Refrain "Morning Has Broken" sung by Cat Stevens. From Deacon Sara Vander Voort: This is how I start every morning. Hope in the Pandemic. Trinity Te Deum - Ēriks Ešenvalds From Dave VanderMeer, Minister of Music and Fine Arts: The Chancel Choir was going to sing this on Easter Sunday, but obviously it is postponed. A Te Deum can be sung on any Festival Day in the liturgical calendar. I fell in love with this piece three years ago! It’s a glorious piece of resurrection hope! Toccata by C.M. Widor From: Dave VanderMeer: One of my all time favorite organ pieces for Easter Sunday! Music When Soft Voices Die by Eric Nelson From Dave VanderMeer: I had the pleasure of singing this piece when I was in the Atlanta Master Chorale for three seasons. Music, when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory; Odours, when sweet violets sicken, Live within the sense they quicken. Rose leaves, when the rose is dead, Are heap'd for the belovèd's bed; And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone, Love itself shall slumber on. Cells Planets by Erika Lloyd From Dave VanderMeer: I love this piece sung by Chanticleer, one of my favorite choral ensembles of men. I thought of this text being appropriate for our New Creation: Green Faith Rising Climate Change series coming up after Easter. The text is below: So far away Far away So far away Far away, When all will Shine And all will play Hey The stars will open up And all will be Tiny pieces of galaxy, Reflected in you and me... Cells, planets, same thing... Cells, planets, same thing... Cells, planets, Same thing... Bright electric lights on all the Leaves, and everything growing from a tree, The water's blood, and roots are veins I don't know you but I like you, I don't know you but I miss… Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - arr. Paul Sjolund From Dave VanderMeer: This is one of my favorite brass, timpani, and organ arrangements for Jesus Christ Is Risen Today. Happy Easter to FPC! In the Night - Andrew Peterson From Rev. Mark Mares: This is a fun song that a friend of mine shared with me that I love returning to on Easter. In his words, “Andrew Peterson has done the impossible in this song. He tells the grand story of God’s salvation woven through the Bible in tight, sparse lines, somehow managing to hit so many important notes while keeping a Come Lord Jesus sense of urgency and pathos.” Amen. Awake, O Sleeper - written by Steven Rodriguez & sung here by Pillar Church From Rev. Mark Mares: This is one of my favorite songs to sing, written by my friend who I quote in my first recommended song. I love the way he weaves the Gospel good news in the simplicity of this line: “Awake, O Sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. The firstborn son he lives again; he has made all things new.” You Are the New Day - written by Welsh rock musician John David and sung here by VoiceBox From Sandy Talbott, Parish Nurse/Wellness Coordinator: While this song was written as a secular piece, when I hear it, I feel that uplifting spirit of hope and promise… a new day! For me, Easter is always about Mary Magdalene, in deep grief, going to the tomb, and then coming away, breathless and amazed. For her (and the rest of us) definitely a new day! And I’m a sucker for any beautiful a cappella piece, which always brings my spirit closer to The Source of Life.
1 Comment
Mel
4/12/2020 08:58:08 am
GREAT resource for this special Lord's Day. Thanks to all my colleagues for participating. You all are rock stars! Happy Easter!
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