St John

Today and tomorrow I will be in the choir, singing Bach’s Passion of St John with Aarhus Symphony Orchestra. The music is wonderful and rehearsals have gone well – with the very inspiring Paul Goodwin conducting – so I believe we are in for something special. Tonight’s concert is in the new Symphonic Hall of the recently expanded Concert Hall Aarhus. Tomorrow is in the gorgeous 12^th century Aarhus Cathedral.

I love these experiences. During my time in the Jutland Academic Choir I have had the privilege of singing with the symphony on numerous occasions, including the Passion of St Matthew (Bach) Christmas Oratorio (Bach), Dream of Gerontius (Elgar), Requiem (Hindemith) and The Creation (Haydn). It is extraordinary to be a part of music performances on this level, and I look forward to adding another memory to the list tonight.

A Night at the Symphony

Last night the New York Symphony Orchestra performed in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. That event may well go down in history as a groundbreaking thaw in the relations between the rest of the world and one of the weirdest regimes the world has ever seen. So would a proposed visit by Eric Clapton later this year. Or it may, as hawks would imply, simply be seen as yet another propaganda tool by master propagandists who would make George Orwell proud.

The first group would applaud dialogue as the way forward and see cultural engagement as a boon to relations, notwithstanding the possibility of interpreting the move as a recognition of the regime.

It is funny, therefore, that the same group of people would be so critical of this fall’s Olympic Games in Beijing. Prince Charles has announced his absence from the event (for the record, he hasn’t been at the Olympics for decades). Certain people would also have Danish Prince Frederik stay home to protest human rights abuses and what not. Fortunately he has been wise not to meddle in politics and accept the fact that Denmark has good relations and many cultural and economic exchanges with the People’s Republic of China.

If engagement is the solution in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, than how much more is it so with China? This was understood by Nixon when he visited China in 1972. And by most accounts, China and North Korea are worlds apart. Both are communist by name, but China is a modern country with free markets and widely enjoyed personal freedoms. North Korea is more akin to 1984.

This is not to say that everything is perfect in China, but boycotting a country rarely produces good results on either part. The Olympic Games in Beijing will be a great leap forward for China. Whether that can also be said about last night’s concert in Pyongyang, only the future will tell.

The People that Walked in Darkness

In many ways Denmark is a nice place to live. Winter is not one of them, however. For the last many weeks, it seems, the sun has set before 4 p.m., and risen whenever it feels like it – that amounts to perhpaps once or twice a week.

So Christmas is a welcome celebration. Certain obscure theological purists object: Jesus was born in spring, not in winter, so celebrating his birth at midwinter is a heathen tradition. So what? Christ coming into this world is more of a turning point than winter solstice will ever be. Combining the two was a stroke of genius by whoever did it. Elijah says it clearly in this well-known passage:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and the that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Elijah 9:1)

This passage is also a well-known Aria in Händel’s Messiah, which I heard tonight with my extended family. The choir Camerata in their annual performance in Copenhagen’s Holmens Kirke – probably the best in town, and this year was no exception.

Christmas is finally here. Jesus has been born, and light is returning to the world (including Denmark). It is time to celebrate both. Happy holidays!

The Kingdom of God is Like a Jazz Band

Last night, I went to hear Klüver’s Big Band and Cecilie Norby, performing as part of Aarhus International Jazz Festival. The concert was awesome, as I’m sure the live recording will be.

On my way back, I came to wonder if the image of jazz music could be applied to how church should be.

A feature that is more prominent in jazz than in most other genres is the celebration of the improvised solo. Isn’t this selfish, some might rightfully ask? No, I don’t believe it is. No jazz musician can do without a band, and however great the solo or the soloist, it is always best if backed by a strong band. Also, every soloist knows his place; in a jam-session it is perceived as rude if anybody abuses his position or not stands down in due time. When he does finish his solo, applause follows, and it’s time for the next solo, or back to full band.

With talented musicians, this amounts to great jazz in the art of improvisation. Knowing your place in the band, playing your solos, playing up to the other’s solos, and all the time being more interested in the end result than your own position. It’s all about making music and having a good time.

I love classical music, too, but I think I envision a church that is more like a jazz band than a choir. A church that allows for improvisation, for many different soloists, and for being happy about each others’ achievements. A church that comes together for jam session because they are passionate about the end result—living for God. And last, but not least, a church that has a good time doing it.

A New Hymnal

Attention spans are a funny thing. So is time. 12 years ago, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Denmark commissioned a group with task of producing a new hymnal. 12 years is, give or take, usually the duration of such an undertaking. But admittedly a long time in a fast-paced world such as the one we live in.

This week, the hymnal is finally complete, finished in printing, and being sent out to those who have pre-ordered. I have had the pleasure and privilege of sitting on the Hymnal Committee since 2000, being its secretary and responsible for the layout, among other things. It is not without a certain degree of professional satisfaction that I now hold the finished product in my hands. I am in no way neutral, but I do think this is one of the best hymnals out there.

Many things have happened since 1995. Pop and rock music have replaced hymn-singing in some churches (including my own). New technology (PowerPoint) has, to some extent, diminished the need for printed hymnals in churches. And a new generation have grown up. Some—especially among these—may question the need for a new hymnal. And they may have a point. But I still believe that publishing the new hymnal is a milestone and that it will become an asset for the church.

Although other genres have made their way into the church (which is a good thing), I don’t believe hymns will—or should—vanish altogether. The collective memory and rich tradition entrenched in the heritage of hymn-singing has a lot to teach even our generation. Hymnals are always updated at certain intervals, and this new publication will help keep the tradition alive. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater.

As for technology, PowerPoint is good, and there are plans to release an official CD-rom with .ppt files. But there is still a need for the selection and quality control that a thoroughly researched publication offers. Furthermore, a hymnal is not only for use in church, but also in the home—for family vespers, or for personal inspiration. For this, it still needs to be in print.

There are many good things to say about the hymnal, and a lot of hard work that now, finally, bears fruit. I hope that the release can help revive worship and singing in Seventh-day Adventist Churches and homes across Denmark. I will do my best to promote it, and look forward to opportunities to use it and promote it in my own church and others.

A Political Message by Casting Crowns

After last week’s concert, I’ve been listening a lot to the music of Casting Crowns, which gets even better by familiarity. I have especially warmed to the song “While You Were Sleeping”- which is about how humanity too often ignores God, even when He’s right there in front of us. It’s still a very good song, but my impression was somewhat tainted when I discovered a political agenda hidden in this song.

Observe the fourth verse: “United States of America //Looks like another silent night// Every son deceived by philosophies // That save the trees and kill the children” It seems to me that CC are expressing a stance against the environment and against choice (in abortion).

I know this is a touchy subject, and perhaps not as controversial in the U.S. But I strongly believe that politics and religion should be kept separate. I am happy that the Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes religious liberty and separation of church and state. I believe that, as a Christian living in a democracy, you ought to take part in that democracy, but nobody should expect you to have this or that political view because of your religion.

Casting Crowns

One of the hottest names in praise music these days is Casting Crowns, from Atlanta, GA. Tonight, they visited Århus, and I had the privilege of bringing one of my best friends to a wonderful “concert”.

And I put concert in quotation marks, for seldom do you experience prayer and preaching from the big stage at Århus Music Hall. Seldom do people give their lives to Jesus in that spot, which is the city’s main venue for classical music and entertainment (which means that I have now performed in the same venue as CC . But this happened tonight, and I’m guessing also the night before – the concert was an extra, since the first one sold out in almost no time.

Not to say that the music wasn’t great. Casting Crowns are known for hits such as Lifesong and Who Am I, the latter played in an acoustic version that gave the audience ample opportunity to hear each other. Their music is mostly hard rock, with resemblances to Third Day and Nickelback (both personal favorites). Tonight’s set was wonderfully played; I love the feeling of being surrounded by music (this requires a volume that my neighbors usually wouldn’t appreciate). The heavy-rock, up-tempo rendering of Hillsong classic My Redeemer Lives was interesting in a good way, but for me especially “Praise You In This Storm” from Casting Crown’s self-titled first album was chilling.

What really tied the night together, though, were the heart-felt comments by band leader (and youth pastor) Mark Hall. There are no rock stars, he said, we’re here to praise Jesus. And amazingly, I believe the humility is honest. Casting Crowns are an awesome band, but they also came to Århus with a purpose – and delivered.

A Day in the Life

I read the news today, oh boy. Turns out, it was 40 years ago Sgt. Pepper told the band to play. Perhaps the most influential album of all time, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released on June 1 (UK) and June 2 (USA), 1967.

Their production was second to none, and it’s getting better all the time. Could you believe in love at first sight? Well, with a little help from my friends at Wikipedia, I found out that the album was indeed a sensation from the day it was released.

I can’t really keep my mind from wondering if they had any idea back then what phenomenon it would become. I just heard the album through again, and it’s still perfectly brilliant. Some things just stand the test of time.

Messiah

No Christmas season is complete without hearing Handel’s Messiah. Yesterday I went with my parents to the beautiful Town Hall, Sydney, where Sabine was part of the mass choir at the 66th annual presentation. This was the Sunday afternoon matinée.

The performance was in many ways different than what you usually hear in continental Europe. It is an English tradition to invite pretty much anyone willing to participate in the choir. This makes for an impressive both sight and sound, even if they are not up to par on the speedier parts. In “Hallelujah”, the tenors went astray like sheep and for several bars the whole choir was quite confused. Overall, though, the choir gave quite a good performance.

Conductor Philip Chu (who is no older than I am) seemed confident and engaged. The choir being amateurs, he naturally focused much of his conducting on them. Fortunately, the orchestra played as they should. And organist Peter Kneeshaw, who was playing his 25th Messiah in Town Hall, added a sense of calm and grandeur to the setting. Adding organ to the Messiah is uncommon in Denmark, but with an instrument as magnificent as the one in Town Hall, it would be a shame not to. Especially the 32-foot pipes sounded wonderful.

Tenor James Pratt was without doubt the weakest link in the performance. He probably had a bad day – audibly struggling several places, and not concentrated in his keeping in tempo with the orchestra. Bass Jae-Hyeok Lee had a good voice, but his Korean accent was a bit too heavy not to notice. The girls, meanwhile, were the stars of show. Especially contralto Helen Sherman was the musical highlight, but both she and soprano Simone Easthope (who is a Seventh-Day Adventist) did a wonderful job in narrating and making the words and music come alive.

There were several glitches throughout, but nothing serious enough to tarnish the overall experience. The performance was no match for Camerata in Copenhagen, but considering the young age of most of the performers and the amateur choir, this was a good prelude to a merry Christmas, indeed.

The Radio Community Chest 66th Annual Presentation of Handel’s Messiah
Sydney Town Hall, December 17, 2006
Combined Churches Choir
Conductor: Philip Chu, Organist: Peter Kneeshaw
Soprano: Simone Easthope, Contralto: Helen Sherman, Tenor: James Pratt, Bass: Jae-Heok Lee

Good Friday

Denmark has literally shut down. People everywhere are enjoying the first rays of spring and the Easter holiday – with three full bank holidays: Thursday, Friday, and Monday. I remember some years ago I was in the States for Easter, and the only difference was that shops closed a little earlier on Easter Sunday.

It’s a little ironic. Ours is one of the most extremely secular societies when it comes to beliefs and values. On the other hand, this is one of the only remaining Christian countries which still has a State Church, officially endorsed by the constitution, the government, and the queen. I have always found this somewhat of a paradox and fundamentally odd.

It works fine, though. And the Christian holidays do give ample opportunity for reflexion, if you let yourself. Good Friday is the single most quiet day in the year, and the flags on all official buildings (and several others) are flown on half mast. In town tonight there were a small number of partygoers, sure, but for a Friday night it was conspicuously calm.

Good Friday is a day for contemplating Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This was evident at this morning’s service at the local church. A quiet, meditative mood very much highlighted the enormity of God’s indescribable love for us.

Also setting the mood for this time was tonight’s Passion concert in a city church, featuring French classical music (choir, organ, harp). Including Fauré’s Requiem and a personal favourite: Poulenc’s Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence. A good experience.

“Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquisti?” (“My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”)

Amazing love.