Day 19: April 5 - Keeping the Faith (and 2 meters away)
Songs of faith, expressed in unique ways
Jonathan Harvey - I Love The Lord
British composer Jonathan Harvey is a profound composer of faith. This anthem for double choir expresses that ineffable aspect of faith, that quiet, rapturous ecstasy which comes sometimes during prayer; that while-silent cacophony of emotion. The text asks God to deliver them from the pains and sorrows of hell. It begins with vacillations between two chords (discussing their suffering), but then the protagonist calls upon God (sopranos and altos @ 2:15). Then, the language expands into a gorgeous, but restrained, cacophony. Notice how Harvey keeps the basses high until the climax (5:10) so that it feels so profoundly transcendental. Performed here by the Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge under Andrew Nethingsha
Leonard Cohen - I Want It Darker
Written just before his death in 2016, poet-songwriter’s last album, You Want it Darker, explores death and his Jewish faith. The title track, sparse, deep, ominous, contains a refrain of “Hineni, Hineni, I am ready my Lord” (I am here, I am here, I am ready my Lord), which is the response Abraham gives God when asked to kill his only son. The song also features the cantor from Cohen’s synagogue in the background. It’s powerful and dark and very arresting.
Igor Stravinsky - A Sermon, a Narrative, and a Prayer: II. A Narrative
A very modernist take on the Book of Acts. In this movement, Stravinsky sets sections relating to the formation of the early church and the stoning of St. Stephen. A narrator and alto singers trade off while the ensemble colors the story with Stravinsky’s serialist techniques. One of my favorite pieces and, I think, one of the best works of faith written. It’s odd, yes, but it does feel like faith feels sometimes. Angular, dissonant, hard to parse, and full of stories difficult to reconcile with the goodness of the message. Performed here by the CBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Stravinsky himself.
Kanye West - Water
Kanye recently underwent a religious revival, becoming born-again in a very intense and controversial way. Rather than get into the sincerity of his conversion, I’d rather just celebrate this good vibe and the message of asking Christ to come cleanse us of our sinful ways. People are complex and fallible, Kanye as much as any of us (though he is definitely being a jackass more and more lately), but it’s important to note that complexity and that failure to be perfect when discussing faith.
Hank Williams - I Am Bound for the Promised Land
This is one of my favorite little recordings. Whoever took the bass, ‘Louis’ or ‘Burrhead,’ really smashes it. Oh man that bass arpeggio is sooo good. Love this tune.
Bob Dylan - Three Angels
A very treasured gem, this is Dylan after his conversion in the late ‘60s. This is so simple, but so effective. Just a series of images of people passing under three angel statues. Very human and touching. When the organ and choir comes in, I literally die. I could listen to this forever and never tire.