By Mark Heiskanen
Three works from the organ and a pastoral choral anthem will be offered on this Confirmation and Good Shepherd Sunday.
The sprightly “Fugue in C Major” by German Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude opens worship on a delightfully buoyant note. Commonly referred to as the composer’s “jig fugue”, it is indeed a suitable accompaniment for the Baroque gigue dance of the day in its joyful triple meter romp. This work very likely served as an inspiration for J.S. Bach’s own “Gigue” Fugue in G Major, BWV 577 years later as an homage to the elder Buxtehude with whom he studied with for a time.
During the Offertory, an excerpt of the “Pastorale” by Italian Baroque composer Domenico Zipoli will be presented. The pastoral music form is typically in a compound triple meter with simple melodies and utilized by early composers to symbolize nature and peaceful rural life. Many examples can be found in Christmas music over the centuries alluding to the shepherds in the fields such as the “Pastoral Symphony” movement from G.F. Handel’s “Messiah.”
The service concludes with a “Praeludium” by 20th century German composer Hermann Schroeder. The composer made significant contributions to the Catholic church music repertoire combining traditional elements such as Gregorian chant with a 20th century musical sensibility. The quartal/quintal harmonies of early vocal music (organum) along with contemporary harmonies together create an exclamatory work composed in a free improvisational style.
The Chancel Choir offers an anthem inspired by the words of John 10 in “The Good Shepherd” by Carl Schalk. The text by Richard Leach speaks to the life and ministry of Jesus as a gateway to the Divine. The triple meter of the work no doubt serves to musically reinforce the pastoral imagery of the piece. Saxophonist Greg Ball offers the lovely instrumental obligato.