Part 1: “Savior of the Nations, Come”
— immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service, Aug. 27
Nativity Episcopal Church presents "Advent in August”, two organ mini-concerts based on Advent chorales by Martin Luther, in celebration and welcome of its new priest, the Reverend Jason Emerson. The two hymns and concerts act as a call and answer. On August 27, the chorale “Savior of the Nations, Come” is the call. The original German text by Martin Luther was based on a Latin chant very similar to “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Nativity organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn will play works by Bach, Kauffmann, Pachelbel and Sweelinck based on this tune of supplication. The final featured work on the program is by the 20th Century Austrian composer and virtuoso Anton Heiller, for whom the large historic organ at SAU is named in memory. His work is a set of 8 variations in the form of militaristic marches, cannons, spritely dances, and a chromatic melting moan that finally rises to a triumphant fanfare. Childcare is provided and a reception follows each service and concert. In addition to its Mini-Concert series, Nativity also presents a monthly Rising Artists series featuring the most accomplished young musicians in the Chattanooga area playing works for solo instruments and organ.
Part 2: “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”
— immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service, Sept. 3
Nativity Episcopal Church presents "Advent in August”, two organ mini-concerts based on Advent chorales by Martin Luther, in celebration and welcome of its new priest, the Reverend Jason Emerson. The two hymns and concerts act as a call and answer. On September 3, the chorale “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” is the answer. Luther originally wrote the text as a narrative nativity drama for children based on a traditional singing riddle dance. His own children, including eight-day-old Margereta, probably gave the first performance on Christmas Day 1534. Nativity organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn will play works by Bach, Böhm, Kauffmann, Reger and Pachelbel based on this joyful tune of anticipation. The final featured work on the program by contemporary American composer David Schack is a set of 9 whirlwind variations, each based on one of the harmonic intervals. Childcare is provided and a reception follows each service and concert. In addition to its Mini-Concert series, Nativity also presents a monthly Rising Artists series featuring the most accomplished young musicians in the Chattanooga area playing works for solo instruments and organ.
The Church of the Nativity Episcopal Church is at 1201 Cross Street, Fort Oglethorpe, 706 866-9773, nativityfto@gmail.com, http://nativity.dioet.org/.