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The Distracted Organist THE DISTRACTED ORGANIST YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpXCj8jpMCQfftO5FvBSUHRfNcLoG _ZVi Musicians are easily distracted, especially during Scripture readings. It's not that we aren't paying attention! Rather, it's because any time we hear certain Bible verses read aloud, it triggers a mental recording of whatever musical composition we associate with that verse. (It's a completely involuntary reaction, I assure you; we can't control it.) For example: Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Look over at the organist during this passage and you're likely to see him subtly bopping his head to the chorus "All we like sheep" (#26 from Handel's Messiah). This passage will next be read in mid-October 2021, so be on the lookout for that. Or, there's Matthew 6:33: "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." All organists everywhere are silently humming the hymn "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" during this passage, but the event is a rare sighting, since this reading falls only on Thanksgiving Day in year B, or, in the event of a late Easter, on the 8th Sunday after the Epiphany in years A, B, and C. All of which brings me to today's reading from John 14, which triggers for me a mental playlist of not one, but TWO pieces of music. First, there is Thomas Tallis' "If ye love me." Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you." I've set up a YouTube playlist of all the pieces I mentioned, so be sure to listen to this one. I'll also add another of Tallis' famous works, the remarkable Spem in Alium, which is a motet for FORTY SOLO VOICES!! The work begins with one singer, gradually adding and building up over eight minutes. The most effective way to hear this piece, I am told, is with the choir circled around the audience, so that the music, like the hands of a clock sweeping through 360 degrees, gradually enfolds you. However, the "Socially Distanced" version I will link you to is also quite lovely, and the video is interesting to watch as the individual faces pop in and out of the shot with their entrance. I’ll also add a non-Tallis piece to this morning’s playlist, Allegri’s famous Miserere; the recording I am linking is sung by the Tallis Scholars, so I’m including it based on that technicality, plus the fact that I like the song! The second piece of music today's Gospel triggers is a Southern Gospel piece by Bill and Gloria Gaither (this betrays my Methodist roots), "Because he lives." "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live." The Gaither's poetry is nothing fancy, but it beautifully unpacks this verse’s import for both this world and the next, not only "because He lives, I can face tomorrow [here on earth]," but also "and then as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory [in heaven], and I'll know He lives." The video I'm linking includes Gloria sharing the story behind the music, which, appropriately for us, is about certainty and assurance during uncertain times. I'd like to thank the men of the St. Matthew's choir for their stirring a capella rendition of the song which is heard as the postlude for today's service. John Alley sings the solo on verse two. Great job, men! God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died, to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives CHORUS: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know, He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives VERSE 2: How sweet to hold a newborn Baby And feel the pride and joy He gives But greater still the calm assurance This Child can face uncertain days because He lives CHORUS: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know, He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives VERSE 3: And then one day, I'll cross the river I'll fight life's final war with pain And then as death gives way to victory I'll see the lights of glory And I'll know He lives CHORUS: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, all fear is gone Because I know, I know, He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives .
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