Through the Valley in Peace — February 19, 2021

Derived from a range of outstanding choral music, my themed Playlists are designed to be like concerts, of about an hour in length.

The music of this week’s Playlist conveys comfort and assurance in the face of adversity, and features music of Bach, two settings by Moses Hogan of beloved hymns, excerpts from Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Will Todd’s glistening and atmospheric Among Angels, and Leonard Bernstein conducting excerpts from Bloch’s Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service).

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PROGRAM

Click the links for information on the pieces and texts/translations.

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Fürchte dich nicht, BWV 228

Translation

Performed by Monteverdi Choir, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner

 

Will Todd (b.1970)

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil;
For you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.
Surely your goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
                    Psalm 23

Performed by Tenebrae & English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Short

 

William Monk (1823-1889); Arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)

Abide With Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need thy presence ev’ry passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Amen.
                    Henry Lyte (1793-1847)

Performed by Washington National Cathedral Choir, conducted by Michael McCarthy

 

Arr. Moses Hogan 

We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace

We shall walk through the valley in peace,
For Jesus himself will be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.

We will meet our loved ones there,
For Jesus himself will be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.

There will be no trials there,
For Jesus himself will be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.
                    African-American Spiritual

Performed by National Lutheran Choir, conducted by David Cherwien

 

Will Todd

Among Angels

Fear not you the dark.
We carry you on soft wide wings.

Find only joy in the golden heavens
And the shining earth.

Seek out light and bind it to your own light.
Fear not you the dark.
We carry you on soft wide wings.
                    Ben Dunwell

Performed by Tenebrae & English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Short

 

G.F. Handel (1685-1759)

Israel in Egypt, HWV 54

But as for His People
Egypt Was Glad
He Rebuked the Red Sea
He Led Them
But the Waters
And Israel Saw
And Believed the Lord

Text

Performed by Monteverdi Choir & English Baroque Soloists, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner

 

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)

Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service)

Return of the Scroll(s) to the Ark: Gad’lu Adonai, Hodo Al Eretz, Torat Adonai
Etz hayyim hi (Peace Song)
Y’varekh’kha Adonai (Benediction)

Translation

Performed by Robert Merrill, Cantor; Choir of the Metropolitan Synagogue; Choir of the Community Church of New York; New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein