As we reflect and meditate on the events of Holy Week and Easter, we are reminded that the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the central focus of our Christian faith. The music we offer in praise of our Lord is especially meaningful and powerful at this time of year, which encompasses a wide array of emotional and spiritual depth. Please join us for these upcoming events as we rejoice in the triumph of our risen Lord!
Good Friday Service, Noon. Soprano Katherine Dufendach, a current chorister with the Tenth Church Choir, will share music for this service. Dr. Goligher will preach “Crucified, Dead, and Buried” (John 19:28–42).
Good Friday Choral Concert, 7:30 PM. The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is among the most beloved of any composer in history. The elegant simplicity of many of his most well-known works belies the fact that he was an eminent master of compositional depth and complexity. His genius and musical accomplishments are even more striking considering that he lived for only 35 years, 1756–1791. In the summer of the final year of his brief life, Mozart was commissioned to write a requiem Mass. Though incomplete at his death in December, the Requiem (completed by his pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr) has become one of the most powerful and endearing musical works in the western world. Its juxtaposition of sublime lyricism and fiery declamation contribute to moods of profound intensity and serene beauty. The performance will feature soloists In Young Lee, soprano; Sondra Payne-Cattich, contralto; Mack Whitney, tenor; and Nathan Milholin, bass; as well as the Tenth Chamber Players, comprised of exceptional musicians from the Philadelphia region. The Requiem will be conducted by Dr. Luke Carlson on the second half of the concert.
The first half of the program will open with another work by Mozart—his brilliant and joyful Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major. This four-movement symphony was the first of Mozart’s last three symphonies, all of which were completed in rapid succession in the summer of 1788. Conductor Thomas Hong will lead the Tenth Chamber Players in this majestic and ebullient work.
Following the symphony, there will be three settings of the 14th century Eucharist hymn, Ave verum corpus. The text speaks of Christ, “…who having truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mankind, whose pierced side flowed with water and blood…” The Tenth Church Choir, conducted by Luke Carlson, will begin with a beautiful unaccompanied setting by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921). This will be followed by Edward Elgar’s (1857–1934) setting which features Erin Swanson as soprano soloist and Bryan Anderson as organist. The final setting of the Ave verum corpus will be none other than Mozart’s own beloved rendition. Thomas Hong will direct the Tenth Church Choir and strings of the Tenth Chamber Players. Please invite family, friends, and co-workers to share in what promises to be a memorable and inspiring evening of music.
Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 AM. This early morning service will take place in Philadelphia’s historic Rittenhouse Square, featuring music from the Westminster Brass and a message from Dr. Goligher entitled “Sonrise Surprise.” Join in praising the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is risen indeed!
Easter Morning Worship, 9:00 and 11:00 AM. The Westminster Brass and Tenth Church Choir will offer spirited choral and brass music in praise of our Lord on the day of his resurrection. Dr. Goligher will preach on John 20:1–18, “Seeing Is Believing.”
Easter Evening Worship, 6:15 PM. The Tenth Church Choir will present Moses Hogan’s rousing arrangement of the beloved spiritual, “Ride On, King Jesus.” The congregation will sing hymns of praise concluding with “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. Soli Deo Gloria will feature repertoire for string quartet and Dr. Jerry McFarland will preach on 1 Corinthians 15:1–11, “Of First Importance.”