February 5 The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Dies sind die Heil’gen zehn Gebot’ (These are the Holy Ten Commandments) is a large setting of the chorale from J. S. Bach’s Clavierübung (Third Part) which contains large and small pieces written in the form of a Lutheran organ mass: a Prelude and Fugue frame chorales which correspond to the various parts of the service, Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, etc.  The work sets the chorale melody in canon at the octave in long notes, the accompaniment being a fantasy-like comment upon the text. English composer John Rutter (b. 1945) is one of our most prolific composers, writing music that is tuneful, engaging and serene.  Mozart’s setting of verses from Psalm 117, taken from his Solemn Vespers, is scored for soprano soloist and choir.  The soloist is Lindsay Metzger, Soprano. Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594), born in Mons, was the most famous, important and influential musician of the late 16th.  At the age of 12 he moved to Italy, later working in Naples, then in Rome for the Medicis, then at San Giovanni in Laterano, eventually moving to Bavaria to become Maestro de Capella for Duke Albrecht V.  European composers, including both Gabrielis (Andrea and Giovanni) all made the pilgrimage to Munich to study with him. His music is gorgeous in its harmony and melodic texture, creating large sonorities and luxuriously layered textures.  His Missa super Bella Amfitrit’ altera is in the Venetian style: double choir, richly sonorous.  It is thought that “Amfitrit’” is derived from the name of the Goddess of the sea - Amphitrite - used also as a name for Venice.  The Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei are for double choir.  Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote music of elegant beauty, exquisitely crafted and filled with the signatures of his style: gracious melodies, drama, elegant counterpoint and an inventive sense of variation.  He wrote three preludes and fugues, six sonatas, and other miscellaneous works for organ, all elegantly crafted and exploiting the many colors of the instrument.  The Fourth Sonata, in B Flat, is a tuneful and dramatic work in four movements. The final movement is a muscular and virtuosic work opening with a tuneful theme and then developing a fughetta.

CONCERTS AT ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S presents a concert next Sunday, February 12th at 2:30 pm featuring two glorious and virtuosic cantatas: Bach’s Cantata 170: Vernügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust for Alto and Solo Organ, and Handel’s newly discovered Gloria for Soprano. Josefien Stoppenlenburg (Soprano) and Angela Young Smucker (Mezzo-soprano) are joined by Martin Davids & Wendy Benner (Violins), Vannia Philips (Viola), Craig Trompeter (Cello), and Richard Hoskins (Organ).  Included on the program are works for Organ.