Between Gospel and the Classics: Between Gospel and the Classics: Bridging Musical Worlds Bridging Musical Worlds

Eric Friesen Eric Friesen

Classical music has been my life. The music from my father’s record collection Classical music has been my life. The music from my father’s record collection is my earliest aural experience. Schubert songs, Bach cantatas, Beethoven is my earliest aural experience. Schubert songs, Bach cantatas, Beethoven sonatas. I have always loved classical music, from those days before I could sonatas. I have always loved classical music, from those days before I could speak even to now, working with classical music every day at the CBC speak even to now, working with classical music every day at the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). I love it and will always love it. It’s an (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). I love it and will always love it. It’s an inexhaustible richness of music that feeds my soul every day. inexhaustible richness of music that feeds my soul every day. But it isn’t the only form of music out there, and it isn’t the only kind of But it isn’t the only form of music out there, and it isn’t the only kind of music I was drawn to as a kid or even now. Every one of us ‘crosses over’ in music I was drawn to as a kid or even now. Every one of us ‘crosses over’ in some way from the territory of our major musical interest to others. Sometimes some way from the territory of our major musical interest to others. Sometimes we do it enthusiastically and openly. Sometimes we do it furtively, we do it enthusiastically and openly. Sometimes we do it furtively, apologetically, slightly embarrassed that we might be caught listening to country apologetically, slightly embarrassed that we might be caught listening to country music, rock-and-roll, jazz, or even . . . gospel music. music, rock-and-roll, jazz, or even . . . gospel music. My earliest hearing of gospel music was on the main street of my home My earliest hearing of gospel music was on the main street of my home town, Altona, Manitoba, on a summer Saturday night. As the sun was setting, town, Altona, Manitoba, on a summer Saturday night. As the sun was setting, and the dust rising from all the young lovers cruising main street in their sleek and the dust rising from all the young lovers cruising main street in their sleek Desotos and Chevy Impalas, a gospel quartet from the Evangelical Mennonite Desotos and Chevy Impalas, a gospel quartet from the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church would set up in a strategic location directly across from the Mission Church would set up in a strategic location directly across from the Rhineland Hotel and its infamous beer parlor. And with the Pool grain elevator Rhineland Hotel and its infamous beer parlor. And with the Pool grain elevator and the railroad station as backdrop, the gospel quartet, with an ancient sound and the railroad station as backdrop, the gospel quartet, with an ancient sound system mounted on the roof of an old Chevy pickup, would sing their witness system mounted on the roof of an old Chevy pickup, would sing their witness to the drinkers and the lovers of a prairie summer’s night. I would sit on the to the drinkers and the lovers of a prairie summer’s night. I would sit on the steps of Friesen’s Stationery Store, right next to the hotel, and listen, strangely steps of Friesen’s Stationery Store, right next to the hotel, and listen, strangely attracted to this music that was so reviled at home and in the better homes of attracted to this music that was so reviled at home and in the better homes of Altona Mennonites. Altona Mennonites.

Eric Friesen hosts three classical music programs for CBC Radio 2: “In Eric Friesen hosts three classical music programs for CBC Radio 2: “In Performance,” “Onstage at Glenn Gould Studio,” and “Great Pianists of the Performance,” “Onstage at Glenn Gould Studio,” and “Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century.” This essay is based on an address given at a fundraising Twentieth Century.” This essay is based on an address given at a fundraising event for the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre. event for the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre. Between Gospel and the Classics 81 Between Gospel and the Classics 81

A few years later, while working at Altona’s classical music radio station, A few years later, while working at Altona’s classical music radio station, CFAM, I discovered a little corner of the music library called “folk music.” And CFAM, I discovered a little corner of the music library called “folk music.” And on this shelf, way out of the mainstream shelving of Brahms and Mozart and on this shelf, way out of the mainstream shelving of Brahms and Mozart and Handel, I found a bunch of recordings by groups like Lester Flatt and Earl Handel, I found a bunch of recordings by groups like Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Family, and Bill Munroe. I started playing them for my own enjoyment, while Family, and Bill Munroe. I started playing them for my own enjoyment, while keeping half an ear on the three-hour-long opera that was being broadcast on a keeping half an ear on the three-hour-long opera that was being broadcast on a Saturday afternoon. Saturday afternoon. To jump ahead twenty years in my life: In 1984 we moved to the United To jump ahead twenty years in my life: In 1984 we moved to the United States, to Minnesota, where I worked for Minnesota Public Radio for thirteen States, to Minnesota, where I worked for Minnesota Public Radio for thirteen years. One of the highlights of my time there was to hear Garrison Keillor’s “A years. One of the highlights of my time there was to hear Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” I attended hundreds of his shows and watched as Prairie Home Companion.” I attended hundreds of his shows and watched as it became the most popular public radio program in the US, and Garrison it became the most popular public radio program in the US, and Garrison himself take on the mantle of a humorist in the tradition of Mark Twain. I can’t himself take on the mantle of a humorist in the tradition of Mark Twain. I can’t recall one single edition of the show that didn’t feature at least one set of gospel recall one single edition of the show that didn’t feature at least one set of gospel music. Garrison Keillor is a very complicated, sophisticated person who has music. Garrison Keillor is a very complicated, sophisticated person who has written regularly for The New Yorker magazine and The New York Times, and written regularly for The New Yorker magazine and The New York Times, and who has had a dozen books published, many of them bestsellers. He is also a who has had a dozen books published, many of them bestsellers. He is also a kid who grew up in Anoka, Minnesota, in a small evangelical community kid who grew up in Anoka, Minnesota, in a small evangelical community known as the ‘Sanctified Brethren’ (in Canada known as the Plymouth known as the ‘Sanctified Brethren’ (in Canada known as the Plymouth Brethren). And while Garrison has long ago left that group for an on again, off Brethren). And while Garrison has long ago left that group for an on again, off again relationship with the Lutherans and the Anglicans, he is an unabashed, again relationship with the Lutherans and the Anglicans, he is an unabashed, unashamed lover of gospel music. Many Saturday evenings he creates his own unashamed lover of gospel music. Many Saturday evenings he creates his own little group, which he calls the “Hopeful Gospel Quartet” and in which he sings little group, which he calls the “Hopeful Gospel Quartet” and in which he sings bass. As often as not he invites some of the big names in gospel to be part of his bass. As often as not he invites some of the big names in gospel to be part of his radio show. And even with the big stars, Garrison sings bass or baritone radio show. And even with the big stars, Garrison sings bass or baritone harmony. This often mystifies the public radio audience – urban, highly- harmony. This often mystifies the public radio audience – urban, highly- educated, non-Christian – but it is obviously so genuine, so deeply felt, that they educated, non-Christian – but it is obviously so genuine, so deeply felt, that they shrug their shoulders and accept it, and in many cases secretly enjoy it. Garrison shrug their shoulders and accept it, and in many cases secretly enjoy it. Garrison is someone who yearns for a lost, experiential spirituality, who finds in the is someone who yearns for a lost, experiential spirituality, who finds in the music a legitimate connection to the revival tradition of his youth, who finds this music a legitimate connection to the revival tradition of his youth, who finds this music still speaking to him long after he has left the community of origin. And music still speaking to him long after he has left the community of origin. And he draws to this world millions of people who listen to him every week. he draws to this world millions of people who listen to him every week. 82 The Conrad Grebel Review 82 The Conrad Grebel Review

You might be surprised to know that there are many connections between the You might be surprised to know that there are many connections between the worlds of classical and gospel music. I’d like to offer two examples. worlds of classical and gospel music. I’d like to offer two examples. One day I was backstage at Orchestral Hall in Minneapolis, when a One day I was backstage at Orchestral Hall in Minneapolis, when a veteran violinist from the Minnesota Orchestra, a real crusty old-timer named veteran violinist from the Minnesota Orchestra, a real crusty old-timer named Herman, stopped me and asked about a work I had played on my radio program Herman, stopped me and asked about a work I had played on my radio program a couple of days earlier. It turned out to be the second movement of the a couple of days earlier. It turned out to be the second movement of the Mennonite Piano Concerto by Victor Davies, in which there is a lovely theme- Mennonite Piano Concerto by Victor Davies, in which there is a lovely theme- and-variations movement on the hymn “In the rifted rock I’m resting” and-variations movement on the hymn “In the rifted rock I’m resting” (Wehrlos und Verlassen). What is the name of that hymn, Herman wanted to (Wehrlos und Verlassen). What is the name of that hymn, Herman wanted to know. He seemed so insistent on getting the name of it. When I asked him why, know. He seemed so insistent on getting the name of it. When I asked him why, he grew very quiet and told me had heard it just as he was getting in his car, he grew very quiet and told me had heard it just as he was getting in his car, having come from the doctor’s office where he learned his wife was seriously having come from the doctor’s office where he learned his wife was seriously ill with cancer. He told me this with tears in his eyes. This man whose life had ill with cancer. He told me this with tears in his eyes. This man whose life had been spent in music was touched, not by the memories of all those fantastic been spent in music was touched, not by the memories of all those fantastic Beethoven symphonies he had played, but by this simple gospel hymn which Beethoven symphonies he had played, but by this simple gospel hymn which Victor Davies has so beautifully incorporated into piano concerto form, yet Victor Davies has so beautifully incorporated into piano concerto form, yet without in any way diminishing its direct, personal, musical impact. A gospel without in any way diminishing its direct, personal, musical impact. A gospel hymn, like a Trojan horse, brought into the world of classical music – and every hymn, like a Trojan horse, brought into the world of classical music – and every single time it is played, the calls and letters come in, asking how to get this CD. single time it is played, the calls and letters come in, asking how to get this CD. The second example. In September 1999 I hosted a concert at Glenn The second example. In September 1999 I hosted a concert at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He played a Bach Gould Studio in Toronto with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He played a Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suite, and then one of the most difficult pieces in the Unaccompanied Cello Suite, and then one of the most difficult pieces in the cello repertoire, the solo sonata by Zoltan Kodaly. It is almost unplayable, cello repertoire, the solo sonata by Zoltan Kodaly. It is almost unplayable, fiendishly difficult, a piece Yo-Yo Ma has taken up only in the past few years. fiendishly difficult, a piece Yo-Yo Ma has taken up only in the past few years. At the end of the concert, for an encore he played a solo cello version of the At the end of the concert, for an encore he played a solo cello version of the Appalachia Waltz, a tune written by the fiddle player Mark O’Connor – a slow, Appalachia Waltz, a tune written by the fiddle player Mark O’Connor – a slow, haunting tune from the Appalachian gospel tradition that Yo-Yo has come to haunting tune from the Appalachian gospel tradition that Yo-Yo has come to love. He has made a video and a CD with O’Connor and the great Nashville love. He has made a video and a CD with O’Connor and the great Nashville bass player, Edgar Meyer; all of it music from this same tradition. Of course, bass player, Edgar Meyer; all of it music from this same tradition. Of course, when Yo-Yo Ma plays the Appalachian Waltz, he plays it like Jascha Heifetz when Yo-Yo Ma plays the Appalachian Waltz, he plays it like Jascha Heifetz plays a Gershwin standard. Yo-Yo is a classical player, but he takes this music plays a Gershwin standard. Yo-Yo is a classical player, but he takes this music as seriously as Bach, Beethoven, or a new piece written for him by some smart as seriously as Bach, Beethoven, or a new piece written for him by some smart New York composer. New York composer. Between Gospel and the Classics 83 Between Gospel and the Classics 83

I’ll end with a personal experience. A couple of months ago, I was walking in I’ll end with a personal experience. A couple of months ago, I was walking in the Don Valley near my home in Toronto, feeling particularly low, blue . . . no, the Don Valley near my home in Toronto, feeling particularly low, blue . . . no, I was depressed and feeling kind of hopeless. In the midst of this walk a long- I was depressed and feeling kind of hopeless. In the midst of this walk a long- forgotten tune came into my head, and I started humming it. And then the forgotten tune came into my head, and I started humming it. And then the words started coming back to me from this old gospel hymn that I know I first words started coming back to me from this old gospel hymn that I know I first heard on the main street of Altona. I started singing to myself, tentatively at heard on the main street of Altona. I started singing to myself, tentatively at first, and then with real conviction and healing. first, and then with real conviction and healing.

This world is not my home, This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through. I’m just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up My treasures are laid up Somewhere beyond the blue. Somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me The angels beckon me From heaven’s open door. From heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you. I have no friend like you. If heaven’s not my home If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do? then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me The angels beckon me From Heaven’s open door. From Heaven’s open door. And I can’t feel at home And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. in this world anymore.

So here I was, feeling really down, and what came to me was not the slow So here I was, feeling really down, and what came to me was not the slow movement of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, Liszt’s Liebestraum, or Beethoven’s movement of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, Liszt’s Liebestraum, or Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, or even one of Richard Strauss’s Last Songs, but this simple Moonlight Sonata, or even one of Richard Strauss’s Last Songs, but this simple gospel hymn from childhood. And as I walked along, I felt a sensation move up gospel hymn from childhood. And as I walked along, I felt a sensation move up my arms and through my head, like a physical shivering, as my body reacted to my arms and through my head, like a physical shivering, as my body reacted to this huge rush of spiritual feelings. I may have a great deal of difficulty with the this huge rush of spiritual feelings. I may have a great deal of difficulty with the theology of that hymn, but one thing I knew for sure: I didn’t feel at home in theology of that hymn, but one thing I knew for sure: I didn’t feel at home in 84 The Conrad Grebel Review 84 The Conrad Grebel Review this world right at that moment, and this music spoke to me with a connection this world right at that moment, and this music spoke to me with a connection as direct, as visceral, as a lover’s touch in the heat of passion. as direct, as visceral, as a lover’s touch in the heat of passion. I suspect that most people who say they hate gospel music are afraid of I suspect that most people who say they hate gospel music are afraid of it. They say it is inferior music, they sneer at its sentimentality, its simplistic it. They say it is inferior music, they sneer at its sentimentality, its simplistic theological views. But poke at this sophisticated snideness and you will find theological views. But poke at this sophisticated snideness and you will find simple fear. Fear of gospel music’s intimacy, fear of its directness, and most of simple fear. Fear of gospel music’s intimacy, fear of its directness, and most of all, fear of the connection gospel music makes between our minds and our all, fear of the connection gospel music makes between our minds and our bodies, between our heart and our body. We cannot listen to this music without bodies, between our heart and our body. We cannot listen to this music without feeling our toes begin to tap, our fingers and arms and legs to move, our heads feeling our toes begin to tap, our fingers and arms and legs to move, our heads to nod. This music releases often long suppressed feelings we have. It speaks to nod. This music releases often long suppressed feelings we have. It speaks directly to our hearts. directly to our hearts. The best music feeds both our intellect and our emotions. Classical The best music feeds both our intellect and our emotions. Classical music, when it errs, most often errs in concentrating on the head and not the music, when it errs, most often errs in concentrating on the head and not the heart. (And it becomes a refuge for the feeling-impaired.) Gospel music, it could heart. (And it becomes a refuge for the feeling-impaired.) Gospel music, it could be argued, does the opposite, focusing on the experience at the expense of the be argued, does the opposite, focusing on the experience at the expense of the intellect. (And becoming a refuge for the sentimental.) I find the balance in intellect. (And becoming a refuge for the sentimental.) I find the balance in embracing both and making them part of my one world. I need them both, I love embracing both and making them part of my one world. I need them both, I love them both; gospel and classical are indivisible in my daily life. them both; gospel and classical are indivisible in my daily life.