Kreutzer Sonata, Bach, and the Armor of Light

This was the weekend for musical events. We had two concerts on Friday night, and another tonight, following our Advent Lessons and Carols service.

One of them was a doctoral violin recital by Tim Cuffman. Long-time readers may recall my reaction to his first doctoral recital last spring.

This time, I am not going to write a review. It is not fair to the many other fine musicians to single Tim out for special notice. The doctoral viola recital on Friday by Tim's friend Manuel Tábora and his wife and accompanist Joanna was also very fine – what I heard of it. I was drawn away from much of it by logistical problems and heard only parts of it, and that mostly from outside the closed door to the church.

But I will say this: Tim showed again that when he has a Big Piece to play, he takes hold of it and sweeps this listener away. Last year it was the Bach Chaconne; this time it was the Beethoven “Kreutzer” sonata, Op. 47, No. 9. He and his accompanist Asami Hagiwara played with the enormous energy and commitment to the sound that Beethoven requires. And, like last year with the Chaconne, it is only later, as the movements conclude and finally the piece as a whole, that one grasps the unity of purpose that binds the entire performance into a whole. It is this quality that is special about Tim Cuffman's playing.

Here is my organ prelude from this morning: a setting of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland by Bach (BWV 659, from the Leipzig Chorales).

And here is a bit of this evening's Lessons and Carols service: a setting of the Collect for Advent that concludes the service, written for a commission from our parish a few years ago by Craig Phillips. It is followed by the blessing and the final Hymn, “Joy to the World.” The organist for the Phillips is Del Disselhorst, the flute is played by Beth Cody Hayes; I am playing for the hymn.

Tim is a better musician than I am, and his recital was better than our music-making. But as Tolkien wrote, “in God’s kingdom the presence of the greatest does not depress the small.” Our choir consists of amateur singers, and we make the best music we can. It is my task to help them improve, and to get better myself. The day will come when we shall finally have cast away all that hinders us, when we see Him as He is.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

It has been a long week, and a long weekend; I can say no more. Blessings be with you all.