WILDERNESS AND WONDROUS LOVE PODCAST;
THE MUSIC OF LENT
Photo Credit: SILOAM by Leslie Gwynn Garrity © A Sanctified Art
This is a second in a series of podcasts describing the music of the season. Advent 2020 was the first in the series. This time, March of 2021, will encounter the season of Lent.
Lent is the six weeks leading up to Easter. It is a time of penitence, pondering, humility and a recognition of God’s great love that showers down upon us. The season is a reminder that we do need a Savior. And of course that points to Jesus, the Christ, the one who saves us from our sins, woundedness, and anything that separates us from God.
Exploring a variety of music through the ages Rachel Parfenchuk, Director of Music Ministries & Kim La Rue, Director of Adult Ministries make a musical journey of differing styles pointing to this time of wilderness and wondrous love; Lent 2021. Music speaks.
This is a podcast is made possible by Powell United Methodist Church in Powell Ohio. Welcome to the season of Lent.
“I Wonder as I Wander” by John Jacob Niles, arr. by John Rutter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxclAv-gLp8 Performed by The Cambridge Singers
Rachel and Kim discuss the meaning of Lent and how music enriches that experience. The Appalachian Carol “I wonder as I wander” is the bridge between the Christmas season and Lent in this first podcast of the season.
“What Wondrous Love is This?” United States folk tune, arr. By Paul Christensen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVnvN3EVxY performed by St. Olaf Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVnvN3EVxY performed by St. Olaf Choir
Further developing the theme of these Lenten Podcasts, “What Wondrous Love is
This?” invites the idea of asking questions of God and ourselves. The unusual
musical devices help carry the text.
This?” invites the idea of asking questions of God and ourselves. The unusual
musical devices help carry the text.
“Miserere mei” by Gregorio Allegri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VoQsXkOrZA performed by Voces8
Going back hundreds of years, this piece takes us into the depths of Lent
considering our own humanness and why we need a Savior. Miserere mei has a
fascinating history and is the latin text of Psalm 51 in musical form.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M_MS7x4wKo performed by Munich Bach Choir
In this final podcast for Lent, Kim and Rachel explore the complexities of how
Bach pulled together this huge oratorio and how it describes Jesus’ final week or
“The Passion of Jesus.” This short chorale in the middle of the much larger work
reminds us of the wondrous love of God again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6_nJ11BgTE Performance of Hallelujah: London symphony and chorus
Through Samaria by Leslie Gwynn Garrity © a sanctified art
Following the day of Easter we offer an extra podcast to discuss the beauty of the Hallelujah Chorus in the repertoire of oratorios and its significance for Easter. The overwhelming feeling of Jesus overcoming death is so aptly depicted in this celebratory piece. The storytelling of Jesus’ life and the beautiful melodies make it a well-loved favorite that proclaims our faith and the hope of life. Rachel and Kim finish this season with thanks that you were listening and engaging in this way of encountering the seasons of Lent & Easter.