DIFFERENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Dear Friends,
It is the time of year when many people celebrate the events of Holy Week, starting today with Good Friday. And of course, there is much music involved!
There is a long history of music being used in church ceremonies, but did you know that there were times when music was used in secret ceremonies (or, if not secret, closed-door events where only clergy were allowed inside the space)? One example I know of was during the time of Mozart (and likely beforehand), where there were private Orthodox Christian rituals that used the trombone. A small group of high priests would be chanting in Latin, and when chanting stopped, a trombonist would improvise a solo line from the corner of the room. Apparently the belief was that the trombone had the "voice considered closest to God".
I grew up in a Catholic church environment where Easter Sunday usually meant performing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. If you know the Messiah as a full Oratorio, you know that the Hallelujah Chorus is specifically intended for use on Easter Sunday at the time of Christ's rising from the dead. However, lots of people now use it at Christmas time. The thematics of the music don't line up with the liturgical calendar, but most people seem fine with it - simply because it is joyous music that people can share together. (That seems like a good reason to me, by the way.)
With today being Good Friday, I thought I would share a few versions of the classic Were You There. They each have the same words. The roots of the music are the same. But deliveries are all unique. Here's the first one, with a familiar voice to many...
Next up, one of my favourite singers - Mahalia Jackson:
And lastly, with a very different set of harmonies that give this work a strikingly modern and powerful take, Danny Rivera:
alk about great!
With great music the powerful messages sometimes come in different delivery systems. As the saying goes - don't shoot the messenger!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend.
Mark and the Stratford Summer Music Team
Supporter Highlight
The Starlight
Community Supporter
Stratford Summer Music would like to thank The Starlight for being an ongoing supporting and partnering with us for our upcoming Starlight Silver Serenade on June 20th!
The Starlight is a cherished supporter of the local arts scene, including Stratford Summer Music. Known for its cozy ambiance and commitment to live performances, The Starlight serves as a vibrant gathering place where both locals and visitors can enjoy diverse musical experiences. By hosting events and fostering community engagement, they significantly contribute to the cultural richness of Stratford, aligning seamlessly with the mission of Stratford Summer Music to celebrate and enhance the region's artistic reputation.
Thank you to The Starlight team for their continued support of Stratford Summer Music!
