December 4, 2022

We will open and close with J.S.Bach this second Sunday of Advent, the prelude being 2 movements from the second Sonata for flute and harpsichord, with our own Nanette Woodworth on flute. Bach wrote 6 sonatas for flute, but only 4 with harpsichord. We do not have a harpsichord, but I will attempt to play the part on the digital keyboard using the harpsichord sound. The second of the 2 movements is the famous "Siciliano", a great favorite for good reason.

Our processional hymn is 368, "Holy Father, Great Creator"; the tune is "Regent Square", the same tune to which we sing "Angels from the realms of glory", at Christmas.

The 19th century Gospel hymn (6th century text) is also most familiar-- 59, "Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding".

Our anthem, "O Thou, the Central Orb", a staple among Anglican Advent anthems, is by Charles Wood (1866-1926), famous in his own right, but also with famous "connections", having studied with both Stanford and Frank Bridge, but then himself having taught both Ralph Vaughan Williams and Herbert Howells.

We continue with wonderful Advent hymns during communion-- 61, "Sleepers, Wake", and 68, "Rejoice! rejoice , believers".

The closing hymn is also familiar, 73, "The King shall come when morning dawns". I think by now many of you are checking out the information given in our hymnal, underneath the music itself. It can be most interesting, especially the more you do it and start to recognize a a few names!

The postlude as I indicated earlier, is by J. S. Bach (good to distinguish sometimes, as he did have several sons who composed), and is the final movement ("Gigue") from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major. We will not have an orchestra! -- but we WILL have flute on the melody, Leo Bjorlie playing the bass line on string bass, and me playing the "pseudo harpsichord". A "gigue" is in 6/8 time and often makes one want to dance!