Music of Reflection and Renewal: Composers Share Their Most Meaningful Lent and Easter Pieces
The Lent and Easter season carries profound spiritual significance for believers. As we enter this sacred time, we invited several composers to share a Lent or Easter piece that holds special meaning for them. We hope you are inspired and uplifted as you explore their stories and listen to their music.
Craig Courtney: None Other Lamb
I wrote this for John Ness Beck in 1989. I was living in Salzburg, Austria as a newly published composer, and he called to inform me that he had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs and brain. He ended the conversation by asking if I would be willing to return to the United States and succeed him as the chief editor and house composer of Beckenhorst Press in Columbus, Ohio. The lyrics are by Christina Rosetti, and they had been favorites of mine since my childhood. My setting is simple, sincere, and intimate. I wrote it to specifically apply to John’s circumstances at the time. It also expressed the coming loss of my friend and mentor and my transition to take his place at his publishing company.
Patti Drennan: He Chose to Die
While it is difficult to choose a “favorite anthem” (like choosing a favorite child or grandchild), I have selected the Holy Week anthem He Chose to Die as the most meaningful one to me. My dear late friend and lyricist J. Paul Williams skillfully penned the text that helped me create a visually and aurally poignant anthem that has been a part of worship services so many times during Holy Week. When I added a haunting cello obbligato part and spoken text “Crucify! Release Barabbas!”, it helped portray the angry and bitter crowd scene leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. The listener is left feeling a part of that dreadful moment in history while being assured of His beautiful resurrection, giving hope and comfort to us all. I pray this anthem may touch the hearts of the musicians and congregants who hear it incorporated in worship services.
Mary McDonald: God So Loved
Over the past 45 years composing choral music, I have never set the most memorable and significant scripture in the Bible, John 3:16. This past summer, on a quiet, slow Sunday evening, I was inspired by these powerful words to pen this setting. The music flowed as if it had already been composed, words aligning with music in such a way that I was certain it was inspired by God. After several minutes singing and playing in private, I looked up and saw my daughter standing in tears as she observed what had transpired. Originally intended to summarize a new Holy Week cantata, Calvary’s Lamb, I persuaded the publisher to release it separately as an octavo to allow more churches to access it year-round. There is something truly special when the music flows from heaven’s reservoir to the human heart.
Joel Raney: Blessed
In thinking about what my most meaningful composing experience was, so many things rose to the top. Normally I’d say “Whatever I’m working on at the moment,” but this year the answer was a no-brainer. It’s a 45-minute choral work called Blessed. I had the privilege of working with Pamela Stewart, who conceived the project and wrote the text. She took each of the Beatitudes and beautifully scripted how Jesus was the embodiment of those words in both his life and his death. It’s such a refreshing look at Holy Week, as it includes other events in the life of Christ. When she first presented it to me, I knew it would be unique and special – so much more than a walk through the last seven days. Each of the eight movements begins with a choral presentation of the familiar words of the Beatitudes. The work is designed to be done without narration to allow the music to paint the images of Christ as he performed miracles, as he wept for his friends, as he fed the hungry, and as he walked those last steps to the cross. Of all the projects I’ve worked on over the past few years, this is by far my favorite.
Tom Trenney: Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your Fear
Though there are a lot of good things to sing about, I have found myself most often writing about one central theme: God’s faithfulness. Thanks be to God that God’s faithfulness to us does not rely upon our faithfulness to God; God’s steadfast love is not diminished by our circumstances. God does not promise that each day will be sunny and bright in green pastures beside still waters. God does promise, however, to be with us every step of the way – yea, even in the valley of the shadow of death. Despite the anxiety, fear, grief, longing, loss, and pain that chase us, God is always with us. Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your Fear encourages us to hear the voice of the Holy calling to us through the trials and challenges of this life, gently but powerfully saying, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” With an expressive and passionate soloist and an intentional and devoted choir, this anthem can be sung from the heart to proclaim the good news of our faith in any moment of joy or longing in the Lenten or Easter season. I pray that the music and message of this anthem will uplift the spirit of the choir and congregation as it inspires a deeper hope and a greater love of God and neighbor.
