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, encompassing a wide array of emotional and spiritual depth. Join us for the following services and concert as we encourage one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, praising the name of our risen Lord!
Good Friday Service 12 PM
Baritone David Tahere, former choir member and featured soloist for this coming Easter morning, will share music for this service. Dr. Goligher will preach on “The Passion: Its Meaning for Today” (Isaiah 53).
Good Friday Choral Concert 7:30 PM
The music of Maurice Duruflé (1902–1986) will be the principal feature of this year’s program, opening and closing the concert. The elegant and haunting beauty of his choral writing is exemplified in the Quatre motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, (Four Motets on Gregorian Themes). Composed in 1960, these unaccompanied choral works are, as the title suggests, structured on original plainchant and contrapuntal techniques of the distant past. The Tenth Church Choir will share their interpretation of these motets under the direction of Robert C. Joubert.
Two instrumental works will follow: the Adagio in G minor for violin, strings and organ by Tomaso Albinoni and the Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings, also in G minor, by Francis Poulenc. The virtuosic Bryan Anderson, Tenth music staff organist and Curtis student, will share his talents as organ soloist on both works. The Albinoni will be conducted by Tenth music staff member John Leibensperger, and the Poulenc by Luke Carlson.
Duruflé’s Requiem, the centerpiece of the evening’s concert, is a work of serene beauty and profound intensity, incorporating Gregorian chant themes into a rich and contemporary harmonic palette. It was composed in 1947 for full orchestra and revised in 1961 for a reduced ensemble of 3 trumpets, timpani, harp, organ and strings—the version you will hear this Good Friday. One item of note is Duruflé’s omission of the complete Dies Irae, “the day of wrath,” a movement featured prominently in other settings of the Requiem mass. This, along with the inclusion of the Pie Jesu, Libera me, and In Paradisum, casts a more tranquil mood over the work, similar to the Requiem—composed sixty years earlier—of Duruflé’s French compatriot Gabriel Fauré. Longtime friends of Tenth, contralto Sondra Payne and baritone David Tahere, will share their vocal talents, accompanied by the Tenth Chamber Players, comprised of exceptional musicians from the Philadelphia region. The Requiem will be directed by the distinguished Cristian Măcelaru, Associate Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Invite family, friends and co-workers to share in what promises to be an inspiring evening of music!
Easter Sunrise Service 7:30 AM
This early morning service will take place in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, featuring music from the Westminster Brass and a message from Dr. Goligher on 2 Timothy 1:9–10: “Easter Evangel.” Rise early and praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is risen indeed!
Easter Morning Worship 9 & 11 AM
Westminster Brass, the Tenth Church Choir and baritone, David Tahere, will offer music in praise of our Lord on the day of his resurrection. Dr. Goligher will preach on Matthew 27:45–28:10: “After the Passion.”
Easter Evening Worship 6:15 PM
The Tenth Church Choir will present Thompson’s Alleluia and the congregation will sing hymns of praise concluding with the Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah. Soli Deo Gloria will feature chamber music for seven musicians and Rev. Will Spokes will preach on Luke 24:36–49: “Rising Doubts.”