Category: Music for reflection

Psalm Offering 8 Opus 7 – For victims of religious persecution.

This psalm offering is a prayer offered up for victims of religious persecution. I suggest that you listen to the music first. Read the scripture passage from the Book of Lamentation. Reflect on the scripture passages and questions and then listen to the music once more.

Psalm Offering 8 Opus 7: For victims of religious persecution. (c) 2017, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

Your prophets provided you visions of whitewashed illusion; They did not lay bare your guilt, in order to restore your fortunes; They saw for you only oracles of empty deceit. (Lamentations 2:14, NRSV)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? (Matthew 28: 27-33, NRSV)

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. (John 15: 18-21; 16: 1-4, NRSV)

REFLECTION: Persecution based on religion is a timeless abomination in human history. The early Christians were persecuted by both the Jewish religious authorities and the Roman Empire. As Christianity became the religion of the Empire, Christianity, no longer persecuted, became the persecutor. The Protestant Reformation brought a new layer of persecution as Catholics and Protestants killed one another for the glory and honor of God. And, when they were not persecuting one another, they persecuted those of the Jewish religion. The Muslims did their share of persecuting other religions, and as we see in the present, Shiites and Sunnis killing one another all for the glory and praise of Allah. In 1965, Tom Lehrer wrote a satirical song entitled “National Brotherhood Week” in which he mocked religions who say they love and follow God’s commandments, and then turn around and act otherwise. “Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics, and the Catholics hate the Protestants, and the Hindus hate the Muslims, and everybody hates the Jews.” (© 1965, by Tom Lehrer.) We all like to think that God is on our side. However, as President Abraham Lincoln pointed out, it’s not a question of whether God is on our side. The real question is whether we are on God’s side. For religions to persecute and kill one another in the name of God is an abomination to God.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER: How tolerant am I of those who are formed and worship/pray in a religion different from mine? How tolerant am I with those of my own religion who pray, think or worship differently than I? Am I able to bow to and respect the presence of God in a person whose religion differs from mine? Do I respect the religious practices and rituals of other world religions? Am I capable of seeing the commonality and shared values of my religion and that of other world religions? Am I willing to accept that the God I worship is the same God that people of other religions worship?

ABOUT THE MUSIC: This is composed in the key of B Locrian mode. It is written in Sonata Allegro form. The meter of the A melody is in ¾ time. The agitation and violence of religious persecution is reflected in the very agitated rhythmic ostinato pattern of two 8th note triplets and 1 beat of 8th notes of melody A. The Locrian mode is perhaps the oddest sounding mode of all the Greek modes. It is almost a diminished scale. The melody of the A section sounds forbidding and barren. When the melody is repeated in chordal form, the chords are mostly minor, minor sevenths, and diminished chords. The B section introduces a change into 4/4 meter, and like the primary melody of the prelude in the 2nd Psalm Offering, is rendered in a 4 part choral arrangement. There is a plaintive sound to the B melody, almost that resembling a painfilled sigh. The agitation of the A melody returns again in ¾ meter and a long development of the melody occurs, the rhythmic ostinato pattern reemphasized all the more until it returns in full form. There follows a recapitulation of the B melody leading to an extended Coda. The music ends similarly to that of the First Psalm Offering, in which the A melody returns in a ghostly manner.

Psalm Offering 9 Opus 7 – A prayer for the conversion of human hearts and society to God’s justice.

I composed the entirety of Opus 7 in the year 2017 following the elections of 2016. There was a rise of attacks against immigrants, the sick, the poor, people of color and people of different religions in out nation. The story behind the Book of Lamentations came to mind, how Israel turning its back on God is destroyed by a foreign power, its downfall and suffering largely of its own making. The author of Lamentations not only focuses on the suffering of a conquered nation, but why it happened.

The music I composed was a product of my meditation on this rather short book in the Bible. It ended up evolving into a musical religious retreat, where the music is part of an overall reflection of each passage from Lamentations.

The format I suggest is to hear the music. Then read the passage or passages, reflect on the questions, then listen to the music again. Since the music is composed in scales other than the normal major/minor scales to which we are normally accustomed, the music has a  more esoteric quality about it, a little other worldly.

What I present to you in this blog is the music, then the scripture passages and questions upon which to reflect. I suggest then to listen once more to the music.

Psalm Offering 9 Opus 7: (c) 2017, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

A prayer for the conversion of human hearts and society to God’s justice.

But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations. Why have you forgotten us completely? Why have you forsaken us these many days? Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old. (Lamentations: 5: 19-21, NRSV)

I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. (Ezechial 36: 25-27, NRSV)

“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise. (Ephesians 5: 14b-15, NRSV)

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. (1 John 3: 23-24, NRSV)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15: 12, NRSV)

REFLECTION: Conversion is central to human life, human hearts and human society if we are to reshape ourselves to live the justice of God. The duality of light and darkness in John’s Gospel is revealed all around us. So many people dwell and operate out of the darkness of our world, in which the highest principle is best summed in the question, “What’s in it for me?” We see it in our government, in our political parties, in business, and in all strata of human life. One could be overwhelmed by the hopelessness of such a suppression of light. Yet, like fireflies on a darkened night, there are many whose light illuminates the deep darkness of the world. Their light is fueled by the Great Commandment of Jesus to love as he loved. The light of God shines in these people, and as we encounter them in their daily lives, the light of God becomes contagious as all begin to desire the peace, the serenity, and joy that fills the lives of these people. And, so this musical prayer is exuberant, joy-filled, and filled with light. May we all join in on this dance of life, this dance of light, this dance of God’s justice!

QUESTIONS TO PONDER: Do others see me as a child of God’s light, compassion and love, or a child of darkness and hate? Am I willing to sacrifice myself for the common good of all, or do I think only of myself and no one else? Am I a sower of discord and disharmony, or do I seek to sow unity and harmony? Am I willing to make the Great Commandment of Jesus, to love God and neighbor primary in my life?

ABOUT THE MUSIC: This is in the form of a Grand Waltz. As primarily a musician, I have played dances, but never have been much of a dancer. In my mind’s eye, I see the Reign of God as one in which all of humanity joins in a great, joyful, resplendent waltz with God. The primary melody of the waltz is in the key of F Lydian mode. The form of the song is Rondo form in which the A melody is heard time and time again amidst a number of other and more secondary melodies, some of these melodies being long and some of them lasting only a few measure. The form of this song is AABAACADAAEA Coda.

PSALM 149

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
(Psalm 149: 1-5, NRSV)

This Psalm Offering is composed in the form of a Mazurka, a lively Polish dance written in triple meter. I had Psalm 149 in mind as I composed this music.
I composed this in memory of my cousin Cheryl Deister. Cheryl died following back surgery early in the year. She worked for most of her life in the Federal government and upon retiring, was employed as an independent contractor on government projects. Single all her life, she took loving care of her parents till they passed away, and was a loving doting aunt to her nieces and nephews. She loved dearly her sister Kathy and brother in law, Frank. The other great love of her life was her standard poodle, Buster. Cheryl was a devoted Washington Redskin and Washington Nationals fan.

Kathy and Cheryl were my Virginia cousins, whom I last visited probably in the 1960’s. Ruth and I had the great pleasure of visiting Kathy, Frank and Cheryl the first week of October, 2017. We were looking so forward to them coming to visit us this summer and were greatly shocked and saddened to hear of Cheryl’s death in January. I would like to think that this Mazurka reflects the joy that Cheryl imparted to those who knew her, and is now part of the great dance she is enjoying in Heaven.

About the music: As stated above, a Mazurka is a fast, lively dance in triple meter. It is marked by accents falling on the weaker beats of triple time, namely, the 2nd and 3rd beat of each measure. One of the great composers of Mazurkas was Frederick Chopin, who composed 69 Mazurkas for piano.
This Mazurka is composed in simple 3 part meter. Melody A, melody B, melody A.

Psalm Offering 8 Opus 9: For my cousin Cheryl and Buster (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

In the composition of this Psalm Offering the following verses from Psalm 71 came to my mind.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have rescued.
All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help,
for those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame, and disgraced.
(Psalm 71: 1-6, 17,22-24, NRSV)
The psalmist writes this psalm from the perspective of someone who has experienced hardship in life. Though, this person may be in the midst of some conflict, the person’s trust in God’s enduring love and care rejoices knowing the justice will prevail and God will make all things right. The agitation and conflict is heard in melody A but gradually fades away in the peace and tranquility of melody B. It is as if the peace and trust of the psalmist in melody B is an oasis in the midst of the agitation and conflict of melody A. Though melody A does return in great fury, the peace of melody B prevails, growing only the more loud and victorious by the end of the song.

I dedicate this song to my good friend and colleague, Carol Weiers, with whom I have ministered the past 8 years. Even in the midst of the craziness of parish life, Carol has always been that oasis of sanity and wisdom, maintaining a sense of humor and balance.

About the music: This Psalm Offering is in simple two part form, AB and is composed in the key of F minor. Melody A has a very fast running arpeggio in the left hand against loud, heavy chords in the right hand. Melody B is slower, softer and more expressive, harmonically progressing to a concluding chord in Bb major. The entire structure of the song is A,B,A,B.

The B melody was intended 42 years ago to be a chorale in a massive choral work based on Psalm 71. Over the years, I just recently discovered it in the bottom of a storage bin. The rest of the choral work is gone, but the best ended up being preserved … thanks be to God.

Psalm Offering 5 Opus 9: For Carol Weiers. (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

 

I was reflecting on Psalm 27 as I composed this Psalm Offering.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong,
and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
(Psalm 27:1-4, 13-14, NRSV)

The psalmist affirms his trust in God, in whom the psalmist finds light and salvation. Though the events of his life may seem to be stacked up against him, the psalmist knows that hope lay only in God. The motivating emotion in the life of the psalmist is desiring to behold God. The psalmist longs to be in the sanctuary of God, in the land of life.

I have dedicated this psalm to my good friend and colleague, Diane Weckman. I have grown close to Diane and her family over the past 8 to 9 years. She was a major leader in the rural parish of St Benedict, and though St Benedict was merged with four other parishes and later demolished, Diane has continued to be provide positive leadership in the newly created parish.

ABOUT THE MUSIC. This song is a vibrant waltz, composed in the key of C major. It is essentially in three part, AB form. The A melody actually has two distinct versions, A1 and A2 both introduced in the beginning of the music. The overall structure is: A1A2BA1BA2BA1Coda.

PSALM OFFERING 6 Opus 9 Commentary

Psalm Offering 6 Opus 9: For Diane Weckman (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

 

 

I repost this music I composed for my sister, Mary Ruth. Mary Ruth died this day, August 10th, 21 years ago of complications from Crohn’s disease.

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hand;
deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your steadfast love. (Psalm 31: 1-9, 14-16)

As we got closer to Holy Week in this Paschal Season, I thought often of my sister, Mary Ruth

. I still grieve her dying. I thought about her struggle with her Crohns disease for the last 20 years of her life, and reflected upon her last days, her own paschal suffering, and passion, as she was preparing to leave this life for the resurrection of eternal life. As I composed this Psalm Offering, I had Psalm 31 in mind.

About the music: It is written in the key of C major. It is in a simple two part AB form, that is repeated two times, with variations on the music each time it is repeated.

Psalm Offering 2 Opus 9: for my sister Mary Ruth. (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

 

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2)
I first met Ruth on September 3, 1968. When my father’s business transferred my family from Chicago to St. Paul, I was beginning my junior year in high school. The first person who talked to me, welcomed me, and smiled at me to my new high school was Ruth.

It was a miracle that my family moved when we did, and I chose the high school at which Ruth was attending. It was a miracle that I met her that first day. It was a miracle that we began to be very close and started to date. It was a miracle that she fell in love with me (I had fallen in love with her long before the first date). It was a miracle that she married me.

Each of one of our children is a miracle. Each year of my life with Ruthie is a miracle. If you would ask me who has taught me the most about love, and how to live that love, it is Ruthie.

When the author of the first letter of John exhorts his followers to see now greatly God has loved them, I have come to know how greatly I am loved by being in this miraculous relationship with Ruth. She is the incarnation of God’s love for me and I am blessed to be so very aware of it. I have often told her that when I grow up I want to be like her. Each passing day only affirms those words and sentiments of mine. She is the living image of God’s love for me, and this only inspires me to strive to better become that which God is calling me to be.

ABOUT THE MUSIC: This music is composed in my favorite meter, 5/4 time (5 beats grouped to every measure, a quarter note getting 1 beat). It is not common time like 3/4 , 4/4, or 2/4 time in which most music is composed. What is fun with this meter is where the accented beats (the stronger sounding beats) are placed in the measure. It can be 1,2,3,4,5 or 1,2,3,4,5. In this music, the accents sometimes falls on the second beat (note: the first measure of the song) 1,2,3,4,5.

The music is composed in the key of C major (no sharps or flats in the Key signature). It is in rondo form, namely, A1,A2,B1,A1,A2,C,A1,A2,D,A2,B2,A1,A2,Coda, with melody A (or its variant) being the dominant melody.

Psalm Offering 9 Opus 9: For my beloved Ruthie (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

PSALM OFFERING 5 OPUS 10: Ballade (In memory of Harold and Evelyn Evenson)

The inspiration of this Psalm Offering comes from a psalm that is beloved to many, Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff —
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. (Psalm 23, NRSV)

This psalm has that remarkable quality that quiets and calms people during even the most catastrophic of times in human lives. Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book, The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom Of The Twenty-Third Psalm, is devoted to the healing power the words of the psalmist has on people.

The music, comprised of two very simple melodies, is meant to evoke the peace the psalm brings to people. The two melodies undergo subtle variations in accompaniment to a melody that never really changes.

Harold and Evelyn Evenson were Ruthie’s Aunt and Uncle on the maternal side of her family. In fact, Harold and Ev were the first relatives of Ruthie that I came to know. When Ruthie went to St Bernard’s High School (on Rice Street in St. Paul), she boarded during the week with Ev and Harold who lived in the old family house on Marion Street, two blocks from the High School. When I first dated Ruthie, I always picked her up at Ev and Harold’s house. At first, I thought that Ruth was an orphan and Ev and Harold were her guardians. It wasn’t until Ruthie’s high school graduation open house at the family farm in Scandia, Minnesota that I knew Ruth had parents.

Ev and Harold were unable to have children, however, many nieces and nephews spent time with them, especially when crises arose with the Burg/McNeely families. Ev had a sardonic wit and at time an acerbic way of expressing herself. Harold was extremely kind and generous. Their generosity was often repaid by other members of the family in helping fix and maintain the family home. Ev and Harold were extremely generous to Ruthie and I and our children when we were poor.

Psalm Offering 5 Opus 10: A Ballade in memory of Harold and Evelyn Evenson (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

Throughout the past 6 weeks, as I have been trying to get my other music published (when checking last night I have made a whopping $37 on Amazon) I have continued to compose more music. Two of these piano prayers I have posted on this blog in reaction to the sinful actions of the trump administration toward migrants from Latin America.

The music I present here today is for my good friend and colleague, Peter Guzulaitis.

The inspiration for this music is Psalm 150.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150, NRSV)

A Galop is a musical dance form that predated the Polka, the Can Can, and other fast dances in duple meter. Chopin, Shostakovich and many other composers from the Romantic Era and Modern Era have utilized the Galop in their musical compositions.

Psalm Offering 1 Opus 10: A Galop for Peter Guzulaitis. (c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

“Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord: they shall come back from the land of the enemy; there is hope for your future, says the Lord: your children shall come back to their own country.” (Jeremiah 31:15-17)

There is a very poignant scene from the Walt Disney movie “Dumbo” in which Dumbo’s mother is torn from her little baby elephant and is imprisoned in a train car. In order to comfort her distressed infant, Dumbo’s mother sings the haunting song, “Baby now don’t you cry.” As I look at the evil that donald trump has caused in separating migrant mothers and fathers from their little children, I am reminded of that heartrending scene from “Dumbo.”

In my mind’s eye I see these distraught parents languishing in a federal prison for wanting to save their children from a world of horrific violence and despair. Their crime in making the arduous and dangerous journey to the southern borders of the United States was their hope that their children would be able to live peaceful, productive lives in a new land. And so, not knowing where the evil agents of the government have taken their children, they cry out this lullaby to their frightened child somewhere, hoping in some way their song might reach the heart of their child.

I pray to Almighty God that the prophecy of Jeremiah comes true, and these poor children separated so cruelly and heartlessly by trump and his administration will be returned to the safety of their parents arms.

Like most lullaby’s, this is in 3/4 meter. As a parent gently rocks a disquieted baby, so there is a gentle rocking feeling and motion to the music. It is in 3 part form. The A or first part is in the key of F major. The B or second part is in F major’s relative minor, D minor. Then the A part returns completing the song.

Rhythmically, to give that sense of a rocking motion, the left hand plays a repeated rhythmic figure, 1&, 2, 3, 1&, 2, 3 throughout most of A and B melodies. When the A melody returns at the end, the left hand plays an arpeggiated version of the chords (1&, 2&, 3&).

(c) 2018, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.