Árdís - 01.01.1963, Blaðsíða 24

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ÁRDÍ S
young people will, in that way, have a greater understanding of
them and have a love for them which would become an important
influence in their lives.
Solo singing in the church service has become widespread. To
hear the beauty of a well produced voice sing the great religious
solos in a simple and sincere manner can have as great an effect
as the reading of the Gospel.
The anthem has been considered the opportunity of the choir,
but it must be remembered that music for entertainment only, has
no place in the worship of the Christian Church. The choirmaster
will have at hand a library of carefully chosen music which can
be used at suitable occasions according to the church calendar.
The maintenance of a devotional atmosphere is a vital requisite.
All who attend the divine service of the church will project their
thoughts into the spiritual mood of the service, by participating in
the singing of the hymns, the responses, responsive and silent
worship.
In looking over the church bulletins of First Lutheran Church
covering a number of years, it is interesting to note the anthems
and solos which have been sung. In the musical library are com-
positions of the greatest composers of the world, which have be-
come well known and loved.
Messiah, G. F. Handel’s most successful and best known ora-
torio was composed in 1741, in twenty-four days. It was first
performed in 1742 in Dublin, Ireland, with Handel conducting. The
choruses which have been used in the service of the Christian
church are:
“And the Glory of the Lord”, “O, Thou that Tellest Good
Tidings”, “For Unto us a Child is Born”, “Lift up Your Heads”,
“Glory to God”, “Worthy is the Lamb”, and the “Hallelujah
Chorus”. The solos are: “I Know that My Redeemer Liveth”,
“He was Despised”, “The People that Walketh in Darkness”, and
“Rejoice Greatly”.
A number of the compositions of the immortal J. S. Bach have
been sung at Divine services. “Gracious Lord of all our Being”,
and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”, come to mind. A number of
Lutheran Hymns were used by Bach for his chorales, which in
German means sacred song.