Music Notes from Matt for our Worship at Home Service, Sunday March 29th, 2020.
VU 290 Nothing Can Trouble
This short song yet sung repetitively derives itself from the Taize community in France. The music is written by Jacques Berthier who studied music at the same school Cesar Franck did in Paris. As the Taize community grew, Berthier continued to compose much of these chants, which has become widely used in North American church music in both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions.
From Atoms Spinning Sparking Life (Winchester New)
The original version of the tune Winchester New appeared in Musikalisches Handbuch der geistlichen Melodien, published in Hamburg, Germany in 1609 by Georg Wittwe. This tune was named for the ancient English city in Hampshire noted for its cathedral, the tune gained much popularity because of its extended use. It is called Winchester New to distinguish it from Winchester Old.
This text was written by our very own Rev. Emily Gordon. This hymn was written to explore the idea of the relationship between the sacred and technology, but was rewritten in response to the recent changes in our lives.
VU 333 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
The idea for the hymn was taken from a popular song by the poet Dryden, “Fairest isle, all isles excelling.” Its theme is the great thread of divine love which runs through all of Wesley’s hymns. This hymn is in fact a sung prayer, and so can be sung as a hymn of invocation.
VU 902 Go Now in Peace
Attached is a recording by the Leaside Chancel Choir (pre-recorded). Liturgically, this text has often been referred to as the Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon), which is commonly used in Evensong services from the Anglican tradition. The music is written by a prolific composer and hymn-writer from Texas, with degrees from Baylor University.