The Annunciation by
Allan Rohan Crite
by Richard Gray, Director of Music
Although his life was short-lived, Austrian composer, Franz Schubert and his musical works were prominent in the bridge between the late-Classical era and the early-Romantic era. Majorities of those works were secular pieces for solo voice but he was also responsible for symphonies, sacred music and chamber music. His influences came from such composers as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven and his music, while it started small in Vienna, became quickly noticeable and acknowledged by people such as Mendelssohn, Liszt and Brahms. Still to this day, he remains one of the most popular composers of the nineteenth century.
This Lenten Season and in acknowledgement of the Feast of the Annunciation, the adult choir and Artaria String Quartet will be offering Schubert’s Mass in G Major, or, Mass No. 2 as it has also been referred to. Of the masses that he composed, this is a relatively shorter one on a smaller scale for four-part chorus, three soloists and accompanied by organ and a string quartet. The piece contains beautiful harmonies, flowing melodies and energetic rhythms that capture the many wonderful sides of Schubert’s personality and style of composing. While soloists are present, Schubert’s emphasis is on the choir and its devotional atmosphere through the music.
Written in 1815, the mass consists of six movements: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. When our choir offers this work, you will hear each movement at its designated time during the service rather than as a whole. This is something new we are doing here at St. John’s rather than our usual Choral Evensongs, which highlight the Anglican tradition of worship. Our March event, known as a Solemn Evening Choral Eucharist, is similar to the structure we know on Sunday morning but elaborated. In addition to the Schubert, two other musical offerings will be a part of the service; Johannes Brahms’ Geistliches Lied (Let nothing ever grieve thee) to acknowledge the season of Lent and a Marian hymn sung by the choir and congregation that will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation.
Being able to offer wonderful quality music within the context of worship is an experience like none other. St. John’s is blessed to have dedicated and talented musicians that make our ministry what it is. The rehearsal process alone is something that is exciting, to have the opportunity to spend time each week with groups of people who care deeply and work toward a common goal that is sacred music for our Lord.
Originally published in the March-April 2019 Evangelist.
