Music for August 5, 2018

Instrumental Music

• Prelude on “Bryn Calfaria” – William Haller (b. 1940)
• Intermezzo in A, Op. 118, No.2 – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
• Improvisation on “Cwm Rhondda” – Paul Manz (1919-2009)

Congregational Music (all hymns from the Hymnal 1982 with the exception of “Taste and See,” which is from Wonder, Love, and Praise.)

• Hymn 522 - Glorious things of thee are spoken (AUSTRIA)
• Hymn 307 - Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor (BRYN CALFARIA)
• Hymn 302 - Father, we thank thee who hast planted (RENDEZ À DIEU)
• Hymn - Taste and See (James E. Moore, Jr.)
• Hymn 690 - Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (CWM RHONDDA)
• Psalm 78:23-29 - Tone VIII

The Land of Song - that is how Wales has traditionally been referred to since the 18th century, though the tradition of singing in parts has been around since the 12th century, when medieval chronicler Geraldus Cambrensis stated that the Welsh sang in as many parts as there were people, and even that quite small children could harmonize.[1]

The 18th century saw the rise of Methodism, and hymn singing was an important part of the movement. Congregational singing gained momentum in the early part of the 19th century, and annual festivals for singing were established.

Although there has been a decline in the number of people attending church, hymn singing remains popular in Wales, especially at rugby matches! Guide me, O thou great Jehovah is known as the Welsh National hymn, sung at many Welsh sporting occasions. Watch this clip here: and see Tom Jones, Max Boyce, and thousands ( I mean thousands) of happy Welshmen (read: drunk Welshmen) sing "Bread of Heaven."

Many Welsh hymn-tunes are favorites of American congregations, and that is true here at Good Shepherd. Here is a list of hymn-tunes from Wales that are in our hymnal, with many of them(+) sung here at Good Shepherd.

ABERYSTWYTH (349, 640, 699)
+BLAENHAFREN (610)
BRYN CALFARIA (307)
+CWM RHONDDA (594, 690)
+HYFRYDOL (460, 657)
+LLANFAIR (214)
LLANGLOFFAN (68, 607)
+ST. DENIO (423)
RHOSYMEDRE (587)
RHUDDLAN (621)
+TON-Y-BOTEL (381, 527)


Since hymn no. 307, Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor, goes so well with the readings for the next four weeks, and our congregation, like so many, takes so well to the strong, vigorous tunes of Wales, I decided to focus on that hymn for the next four weeks. This Sunday, in addition to singing the hymn, I will play an opening voluntary composed by William Haller, the Professor of Organ and Organ Literature at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. He received his DMA from North Texas State University and both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music. He is currently serving as Director of Music Ministry at Edgwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheeling, WV.


For communion, I will play Johannes Brahms' beautiful  Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2. Written in 1893 during Brahms' late period, this piece pulls us into a world of dreamy nostalgia, quiet longing, and majestic, serene beauty.

Blogger Timothy Judd describes it this way:

Listen to the way those unlikely first three notes set the entire piece in motion. As it unfolds and develops, you may sense that the music is “searching” for a way forward, attempting to find just the “right” note. Around the 1:06 mark, you’ll hear the opening motive return in the bass. The expansive middle section offers new adventures. As this section fades away, listen to the magical way we find our way back home to the original music. [2]

[1]  Aubrey, Graham (2011). The Ingenious Cornish – Inventions, Enterprises and Exploits: The Ethnicity Factor in Cornish Music Both at Home and Abroad. Wallaroo Town Hall during Kernewek Lowender 2011 Biennial Seminar: Cornish Association of South Australia Est. 1890. p. 18.

[2] Judd, Timothy (2018, June 1) Brahms Intermezzo in a major Op.118 No. 2,(http://thelistenersclub.com)