Rejoice in the Lamb Music
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Smart wanted his poem to be closely parallel to portions of the Order The next section, for bass soloist, creates the bridge to the final part of the of Morning Prayer and the Psalter and he intended it to function as a cantata. "For H is a spirit and therefore he is God," is based on alliteration xi RLINGTON responsive reading. Smart was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital for the insane and alphabetical symbolism. This leads to a joyful section in which the AARLINGTON in 1757. “Jubilate Agno” was begun shortly after this time and took four singers celebrate “all the instruments in Heaven,” which are all “a blessed TREET HURCH years to complete, the last line being written on January 30, 1763 very near intelligence.” SSTREET CCHURCH the date of Smart's release from a second asylum.iv After the celebration follows a time of calm awareness and my favorite lines UnitarianUnitarian Universalist Universalist Britten's affection for the beautiful and sometimes cryptic text is abundantly of the piece are sung: clear, judging by this setting, as well as his request that excerpts be read For at that time malignity ceases and the devils themselves are at peace. at his memorial service. Of Britten, Michael Kennedy wrote “the peculiar For this time is perceptible to man by a remarkable stillness potency of his vocal music seems often to derive from his ability to convey to and serenity of soul. his listeners the unexplored area of a text which was always there but which needed revelation through his imaginative vision.”vi The piece closes with a simple and luminous repetition of the Hallelujah, “from the heart of God.” Today, we offer this piece in the spirit of awe, Britten came to St. Matthew's and conducted the premiere of Rejoice in the gratitude, and celebration. rd Lamb on September 21, 1943. Later he wrote to Rev. Hussey, “I do hope that Sunday, November 23 , 2014 I have given you something which will be of more lasting value than just - Mark David Buckles e, thee, the member member congregations congregations of ofthe the Unitarian Unitarian Universalist Universalist Association, Association, for this particular occasion.” I think I speak for decades of musicians and audiences when I say that he most certainly had!vii WWcovenantcovenant to toaffirm affirm and and promote promote • •The The inherent inherent worth worth and and dignity dignity i Brunelle, Philip. Afterward. Rejoice in the Lamb. Milwaukee: Boosey & of ofevery every person person • J•ustice, Justice, equity equity and and compassion compassion in inhuman human relations relations • • The piece can be roughly divided into three movements, each containing Hawkes, 1943, 41. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our multiple sections. The opening section, “Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues,” Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our ii congregations • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning • starts with a simple bareness with the choir all on a single note—middle C. Talbeck, Carol. “Benjamin Britten. Rejoice in the Lamb.” Program Notes. congregationsRejoice • A free and responsible in the search Lamb for truth and meaning • This continues until a dramatic expansion of sound at the text “magnify his Rejoice in the Lamb. San Francisco Choral Society. TheThe right right of ofconscience conscience and and the the use use of ofthe the democratic democratic process process within within our our congregations and in society at large • The goal of world community with name together,” a theme of the piece. This segues immediately into a jaunty iii Letters from a Life: Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten Volume 2 congregations and in society at largeBy • The goal of world community with processional in which various Biblical figures are paired with members of 1939-45. edited by Donald Mitchell and Philip Reed. London: Faber and peace,peace, liberty, liberty, and and justice justice for for all all • Respect • Respect for for the the interdependent interdependent web web of ofall all the animal kingdom to celebrate the majesty of God. Following this is a Faber Limited, 1991. existenceexistence of ofwhich which we we are are a part. a part. The The living living tradition tradition which which we we share share draws draws Hallelujah, but not one in the thundering exultant style of Handel's Messiah; Benjamin Britten iv Brunelle, Philip. Preface. Rejoice in the Lamb. Milwaukee: Boosey & fromfrom many many sources sources • Direct• Direct experience experience of ofthat that transcending transcending mystery mystery and and rather, we have a slow, quiet hymn in praise of God, here cast as “the artist wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit inimitable.”viii Hawkes, 1943. wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life • Words and v Ismail, Ahmed E. “Three 'Apparent Miracles'” Program Notes. Rejoice in and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life • Words and The next movement introduces the soloists. In “For I will consider my Cat the Lamb. MIT, Fall 2002. deedsdeeds of ofprophetic prophetic women women and and men men which which challenge challenge us us to toconfront confront powers powers Jeoffry,” the soprano celebrates the cat's various qualities over a playful, and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power vi and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power whimsical accompaniment from the organ. The passage concludes with Op. Cit. ii Lyrics and Notes of oflove love • Wisdom • Wisdom from from the the world’s world’s religions religions which which inspires inspires us us in inour our ethical ethical a favorite line of mine: “For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, vii Op. Cit. iv and spiritualon life Today's Performance respond from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.” When the commissioner, and spiritual life • Jewish • Jewish and and Christian Christian teachings teachings which which call call us us to torespond viii Rev. Hussey, initially expressed reservations about the 'cat' section, Britten Op. Cit. v to toGod’s God’s love love by by loving loving our our neighbors neighbors as asourselves ourselves • Humanist• Humanist teachings teachings replied, “I've used a bit about the cat Jeffry, but don't see how it could hurt ix Op. Cit. iii whichwhich counsel counsel us usto toheed heed the the guidance guidance of ofreason reason and and the the results results of ofscience science, , anyone—he is such a nice cat.”ix and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit • Spiritual teachings of x Op. Cit. v and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit • Spiritual teachings of After lauding the cat's virtues, Britten cleverly merges disparate parts of earth-centeredearth-centered traditions traditions which which celebrate celebrate the the sacred sacred circle circle of oflife life and and instruct instruct xi Op. Cit. ii Smart's poem to make Jeoffry the villain of the next scene, the mezzo usus to tolive live in inharmony harmony with with the the rhythms rhythms of ofnature nature. Grateful. Grateful for for the the religious religious soprano's “For the mouse is a creature of great personal valour,” celebrating pluralismpluralism which which enriches enriches and and ennobles ennobles our our faith, faith, we we are are inspired inspired to todeepen deepen mice, animals often maligned and despised, not so unlike the poet. ourour understanding understanding and and expand expand our our vision. vision. As As free free congregations congregations we we enter enter Following this, the tenor sings a lyric meditation on flowers. My favorite intointo this this covenant, covenant, promising promising to toone one another another our our mutual mutual trust trust and and support. support. line: “There is a language of flowers. For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ.”x Now comes perhaps the most arresting moment in the entire work, “For I am under the same accusation as my Saviour,” as we finally hear the anguish of the poet. Today, as then, those who suffer from mental illness are often stigmatized and those who are different are often isolated and vilified. In times when violence used by those charged to serve and protect the people is all to common, these words ring powerfully: “For the officers of the peace are at variance with me and the watchman smites me with his staff. For Silly ArlingtonArlington Street Street Church Church fellow! Silly fellow! is against me.” Here Smart identifies heavily with another Boston,Boston, Massachusetts Massachusetts famous outsider, Jesus. FoundedFounded in in 1729 1729 GatheredGathered in inlove love and and service service for for justice justice and and peace peace Arlington Street Church, Unitarian Universalist IV. For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour IX. For at that time malignity ceases For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour. rd For at that time malignity ceases and the devils themselves are Sunday, November 23 , 2014 For - this is a true case - Cat takes female mouse - male mouse at peace. will not depart, but stands threat'ning and daring. For this time is perceptible to man by a remarkable stillness Introit ...If you will let her go, I will engage you, as prodigious a and serenity of soul. I. Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues creature as you are. X. Hallelujah from the heart of God Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour.