Easter Morning - St. Thomas

I couldn't wait to get back to St. Thomas for more. To be sure to get a spot, I arrived an hour and a half early. Good thing. Most of the center spots for the front third of this long and narrow nave were already taken. I was still able to find a good place, though - so I plopped down to stay in a middle spot about 8 pews back.

What a feast - in many and various ways. The half-hour prelude was for brass and organ - music by Walter Pelz (a good Lutheran - one of ours!), Gabrieli, Dupre, Bach, and Richard Strauss. Most of the major eras in music history - all beautifully done, of course. It was about a 10-12 piece brass ensemble with percussion, all clearly New York professionals. Never a clam. Never off from the ensemble. Thrilling.

The liturgy itself was extremely thrilling. (have I used that word yet?) Two procession hymns: Jesus Christ is Risen Today with John Rutter's arrangement for organ and brass, and then "The Day of Resurrection". It took that long for the full procession to occur in its fullness, and dignified pace. Smoke billowing everywhere, two crosses dressed with Lillies everyone bowing deeply for both, personnel galore. Terribly exciting.

Then the Gloria sung by the choir in Langlais' setting - with brass. The choral work at this place is truly the finest I've ever heard. This is countrapuntal - I could clearly hear each entrance, yet the counterpoint parts remained clear and musically expressive, but definitely background as another session would enter with the subject. During the gloria, he altar was censed.

The whole service was like this: thrilling moments, liturgical fullness, done with full body mind and spirit by the people in the pews without coaxing from a presider (no verbal stand/sit directions, for example - that is our job to figure out). Complete energy in singing and spoken/shouted responses. Reminded me of home.

The choir sang an anthem by Bairstow during the offering - a romantic style piece, and as I had come to expect, beautifully sung in complete romantic style. Full bodied tone, ebb and flow with rubato when appropriate, but all subtle enough to not be over the top and sappy.

The settings of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei were again that of Langlais, but with added brass. Completely thrilling.

The motets during distribution were the same set from the Vigil service, but I didn't mind hearing them again. Especially "This Joyful Eastertide".

The postlude was Gigout's "Grand Cheour Dialogue" for brass and organ. Not a clam or smudge. this piece is one of my favorites (and has been the postlude at MO for the past 4 or so years). What a thrill to hear it.

I'm exhausted, but totally invigorated. This was a completely fulfilling four days. Two contrasting parallel experiences - and important to experience the full triduum at both. The journey is a deep one, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do that - as a person in the pews. (Even if I did have to "look surprised" at the second proclamation of Easter...)

The good cap to the day was that my brother and my sister in law live in close by Philadelphia. I could hop a train, and still have Easter dinner with family! By 4:00 I was with them in their home. Lucky me again!