10:00am Eucharist, II

      Summer Choir

      John Linker, Organist/Choirmaster

      Mark McCormick, Visiting Organist

            Bach / Fantasia et Fuga in c, BWV 537

            Wesley / Lead me, Lord

            Bach / Wir danken dir, BWV 29 (arr. H. Whitford)

            Hymns

            LEVAS 111*     Come, thou fount of every blessing                     Nettleton

            511* (st. 1)         Holy Spirit, ever living                                  Abbot's Leigh

            303*                   Father, we thank thee                                            Albright

            530*                   Spread, O spread, thou mighty word             Gott sei dank

5:00pm Eucharist, II

      John Linker, Organist

            Bach / Fantasia et Fuga in c, BWV 537

            Hymns

            LEVAS 111*     Come, thou fount of every blessing                     Nettleton

            511* (st. 1)         Holy Spirit, ever living                                  Abbot's Leigh

            43*                     All praise to thee, my God, this night       The Eighth Tune

[* = Hymns chosen from the 2009 Hymn Survey]

J.S. Bach is perhaps the most influential composer of all time. His organ music, as well as transcriptions of orchestral music for organ solo, shares an equal spot on the pedestal of popularity. His Fantasia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 537, played for the opening voluntary, is paired a transcription of the opening movement of Cantata 29 played for the closing voluntary.

In some ways the Fantasia resembles a certain type of cantata first movement. The meandering obbligato lines resemble Bach's writing for woodwinds. Similarly, despite several idiomatic organ pedal points, the pedal part is very much like a fine basso continuo line. The second theme is also reminiscent of Bach's vocal music, and sounds like it is eager to be matched with a text.

The Fugue makes use of a commanding subject, and other striking features are the da capo (reuse of opening material at the end) and continuous sixteenth notes that disguise the irregular entries of the chromatic subject.

The transcription of the opening sinfonia of Cantata 29, played for the closing voluntary, is one continuous movement of joyous rapture. With its almost ceaseless sixteenth notes, the exhilarating music conveys the energy of a fast-moving perpetuum mobile. This cantata was composed in 1731 in celebration of the election of the town council. Originally scored for two violins, viola, two oboes, three trumpets, tympani, organ, and continuo, the solo organ transcription is by the American Homer Whitford (1892-1980).

S.S. Wesley's anthem Lead me, Lord is a contemplative and expressive setting of Psalm 5:8. Soloist alternates with choir making this a succinct 36 measures of great devotion. A prolific composer for the Anglican Church, Wesley held appointments at Hereford, Exeter, Winchester, and Gloucester Cathedrals, as well as Leeds Parish Church (now called Leeds Minster).

Summer Choir Sings in July

Do you like to sing? Well then, Summer Choir is for you! During the summer there are no midweek rehearsals, just a rehearsal the hour prior to the morning service. Repertoire for the summer will include favorites over the past year as well as other easy reads from standard choral repertoire. Be in touch with John Linker (859 335 6166; john@johnlinker.com) if you'd like to sing any of the Sundays throughout July.