TREASURES of DARKNESS
CHURCH OF THE SAVIOR
CHAMBER CHOIR
Concert Introduction
Miriam Overholt
On June 15, the Church of the Savior Chamber Choir shared a concert to benefit the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship. In preparation, the choir felt a sense of encouragement and healing from the music and the companionship. As you hear the music and participate in this vicarious fashion, we hope you will have a renewed sense of hope and maybe even glimpse some treasures of darkness.
Pilgrim’s Hymn
Music: Stephen Paulus, words: Michael Dennis Browne
The hauntingly beautiful sound painting of Pilgrim’s Hymn matches the music to the text in a magical fashion. Stephen Paulus originally composed the music as the final chorus of a one-act opera premiered at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN in 1997. At the urging of a friend, Paulus sent the music to Michael Dennis Browne who created the words. It’s been performed by thousands of choirs all over the world.
O Love
Music: Elaine Hagenberg, words adapted from a poem by George Matheson
Matheson went blind by the age of 20 and was forsaken by his fiancé who couldn’t face going through life with a blind husband. Twenty years later Matheson wrote this poem as he reflected on the life challenges he had faced. Hagenberg adds hopeful ascending lines to Matheson’s beautiful expression of hope in the face of being abandoned.
Ubi Caritas
Music: Gjeilo, words attributed to Paulinus of Aquileia in 796.
As the piece opens, Gjeilo presents the original plainchant melody also dating from the 8th century. Quickly moving into a wider harmonic palate, Gjeilo blends medieval and modern music into a beautiful setting of this text. Originally used as an antiphon to accompany the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday, in more modern times, the Latin text has been used to recognize God’s presence in the expression of love and charity.
Lewellen Song Circle
The healing qualities of singing are well known and documented! Audience participation has long been part of many choral concerts. The Lewellen Song Circle is an informal group that meets monthly. They sing for themselves, but also for others who are sick in body or mind. The three selections used in this concert are excellent examples of the healing qualities of song.
Amazing Grace
Music: William Walker, words by John Newton, arranged by Norman Luboff.
This famous hymn was popularized in America during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century. It’s message of forgiveness and redemption is a timeless reminder of God’s love. Norman Luboff was a well-known American music arranger, publisher, and choir director whose choir was active across three decades in the middle of the 20th century. This arrangement of Amazing Grace is an excellent example of his distinctive “voice”.
You are Mine
Music by Christopher Aspaas Words adapted from Isaiah 41:10 and Matt 28:20.
The text assuring us of God’s support from Isaiah is paired with the assurance of Christ’s presence among us in Matthew. This wonderful pairing of Old and New Testament texts is supported by the music of Christopher Aspaas, the Director of Choral Activities at TCU. God’s assurance that “You are mine” is repeated with increasing insistence by the basses until the end. It’s even echoed under the “Amen”.
I Will Go Before You
Music by David Magda, words from Isaiah 45
This music is a wonderful support to Isaiah’s prophecy. The plaintive ascertain, “I will go before you” repeated with different rhythms invites God’s presence and reassures us that God does go before us. One can hear the mountains being leveled; the gates of bronze being broken. David Magda has numerous compositions and commissions and serves as organist for the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship congregation in Szeged, Hungary.
Supporting the Oppressed Poor in Hungary and Ukraine
Frank Kline, Ph.D.
Dr. Kline provides a brief history of his long association with the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship (HEF), and how it has been oppressed and persecuted by the government in Hungary. He concludes with a request for support for the HEF and the good work they do for the oppressed in Hungary and Ukraine.
Dona Nobis Pacem
Music, Katie Jenkins words from the Latin Mass
Sometimes imploring, sometimes demanding, this striking setting of words familiar to many illustrates musically many possible emotions associated with this. Born in Wales and currently based in New York, Ms. Jenkins serves on the composition faculty of Julliard School. She is a prolific composer well known for her collaborative work melding music with film, dance, art installations, fashion, theater, etc.
Treasures of Darkness
Music, Miriam Overholt words, Isaiah 45 and Psalm 139
A companion piece to Magda’s composition, Treasures of Darkness reassures us that because God calls us by name, we don’t need light to see God’s presence, we just need to listen for our name. Clearly recognizing the difficulties of life, this piece is an affirmation of hope and God’s love. Miriam has composed many pieces on commission and publishes with Neil A Kjos Music Company.
Conductor Thanks
William Eash
Dr. Eash studied at Bluffton University, the University of Iowa, and in Vienna. He has taught music and directed choirs in Iowa, Indiana, and Kansas. Most recently at Bethel College in Newton, Dr. Eash retired as Director of Choral Activities in 2022. The choir notes that Dr. Eash is a wonderful director combining high expectations with humility, patience and a sense of humor that makes rehearsing a joy.
The Lord's Prayer
Music, Nikolai Kedrov, Sr words, Matthew 6:9-13
Written in 1922 in the Russian language, this is one of the most famous settings of this prayer. The choir traditionally offers an English setting as a blessing at the end of their concerts. Kedrov formed a famous male quartet which toured Russia and Europe in the early part of the 20th century. This familiarity with four part harmony is clearly shown in this, his most well-known, piece.