seven: Maundy Thursday, #23-25, 27-32

...with a reprise of a few of those choruses from Part Two. FP Choir; Kathy Davis, soprano; Joanna Hawkins Nannestad, alto; Karen Tucker, piano/organ.

Our church does not normally worship on Good Friday, so Maundy Thursday becomes an interesting hybrid service: footwashing, communion, tenebrae with readings from the elders gahered at the table. Nearly all of Part Two provided the commentary- really, the inexorable march toward Calvary throughout the depiction of Holy Week. The choir distinguished itself with an excellent reading of #28 "He Trusted in God." More on that later. As mentioned previously, we are blessed with a soprano soloists who can really sing Handel and Haydn, and she did very well with #27 and 29-32. That last one (Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell) seemed to complete the set of short solo soprano (really tenor) movements. The uplifting tone may have seemed a bit out of place in Tenebrae, but I was glad for its presence in an otherwise exceedingly dark service. Our alto provided a tremendous reading of "He was Despised." It was the musical and spiritual highlight of the evening for me- although I may be biased. It was also an education for some: the da capo aria that almost never ends. The following choral piece was titled "Tis Finished"- which was probably what the congregation was thinking anyway!

#28 provided an excellent moment of discovery for the singers. The words (He Trusted in God that he would deliver him; let him deliver him if he delight in him) are rather vague when standing alone. This choir, concerned with the black notes scurrying across the page, had not taken time to imagine meaning or context. When pressed, they weren't sure of what they were singing. Rather than talking about it, we simply started with the soprano recitative (#27: All They That See Him Laugh Him to Scorn.) The tone of scorn and taunting dawned on their faces almost simultaneously. I love when that happens!

Easter happens any moment now....