Where is all the Easter music?

A year or two ago, I wrote a column about the lack of Easter music, especially compared to Christmas.  I heard a number of comments from readers who enjoyed my perspective on the subject.  Well, the purpose of this column is not to rehash what I said back then, but to offer you a solution and option during this time leading up to Easter Sunday. Christians call it Holy Week.

Easter, like Christmas, is a religious holiday.  It seems as though Easter has not been commercialized as much as Christmas, although many argue they have both received too much commercialization.  We certainly know about the Easter Bunny and the eggs (s)he hides.  Who didn’t like looking for Easter eggs and receiving a basket of candy and goodies as a child?  Some remember songs about Easter parades and Easter bonnets. I actually would long for those days again, but we don’t really hear much of that anymore. And when it comes to the music of each holiday, Christmas must outnumber Easter 10-1 at least!

I would guess the “Jingle Bells” of Easter would likely be “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.”  Not a bad song at all.  But just as we know that “Jingle Bells” really has nothing to do with Christmas, “Peter Cottontail” really has very little to do with Easter.

The real meaning of Easter is told in music that describes not only the resurrection of Christ, but also the events leading up to that day.  As I said, it is called Holy Week.  Maundy Thursday is when Jesus was betrayed and arrested. Then on Friday (Good Friday), Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. Saturday was a day of mourning. Then Easter morning is when the resurrection occurred and when Christians believe sin was forever defeated. What a day of celebration!

The Seven Last Words of Christ is one of the most dramatic works of music ever composed describing these events. French composer Theodore Dubois wrote this sacred, dramatic work of music in 1899 for soli soprano, tenor, baritone and choir.  It is not performed all that often, but you will have the opportunity to hear it this Friday night (Good Friday) at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert. The soloists are Mary Ann Falk, soprano, and Jake Wilder, tenor, both from Van Wert; and Eric Durre, a baritone from Hicksville. The choir is predominantly my Senior Choir at First Church with a few other singers from the area joining in the chorus.  Gloria Wendel will accompany on organ, with Annette Hoverman adding musical color on the keyboard harp setting.

The music is very dramatic and extremely pensive and reflective. I believe the composer, Dubois, captured the mood of the days leading up to Easter better than anyone I have ever heard.  You will hear the angry mob singing vehemently, “Crucify Him!”  You will hear Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane to His Father to let this cup pass if possible. You will hear Jesus cry out from the cross in anguish for water to quench his thirst. Ultimately, you will experience His death and finally the musical work culminates in one of the most beautiful chorales I think I have ever heard, “Christ, We Do All Adore Thee.”

It is certainly not “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” or “Easter Parade”, but it will move you emotionally with the true meaning of the Easter season.

Go to the church of your choice Easter Sunday and celebrate the triumphal conclusion to what we will offer on Good Friday night.  Once again, it starts at 7 p.m. this Friday in the First U.M. Church sanctuary and is free and open to the public.

FINÉ.