Attention: The recital on December 15, 2022 has been postponed because of the winter storm. See below details for the rescheduled event,.
What: Advent-Christmas Organ Recital
When: Thursday, December 22 at 12:10 PM
Where: The Park Church, Elmira, NY
Note: Vaccination is required; masking is optional
A post-recital luncheon will be available for eat in or take out, suggested donation $5.
About the program: Music Director and organist Charlotte Cook will present a program of organ music based on Advent hymns, opening with a prelude on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Additionally, settings of Savior of the Nations Come, Martin Luther's famous Reformation hymn, and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, a hymn originally used to prepare members of the congregation for communion will be offered. The text of this 4th century hymn calls the singer to a sense of the awe and mystery of God.
Then the recital's solemn mood changes dramatically as the proclamation of Jesus' coming birth is heard in a series of variations on the hymn On Jordan's Banks, the Baptist's Cry. These variations make use of the many and varied sounds available on the Park organ, from the tinkling of the "zimbelstern," to the bubbly flutes, to the full-throated chorus of reeds and principals.
Following this, the recital returns to a gentle meditation on the meaning of God's great gift to us with the beloved Of the Father's Love Begotten. Completing the recital will be J.S. Bach's dramatic setting of Good Christian Friends, Rejoice.
Postlude carries on the festive mood as the spirited Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates urges us to boldly open our hearts to the Savior.
Come and re-live the Christmas story in music! Scattered throughout the program will be readings excerpted from For the Time Being, a Christmas Oratorio written by W.H. Auden during the Second World War.