Another BIG weekend filled with music is coming up, and right on the heels of the Monteverdi Vespers! On Saturday afternoon, November 13th at 4:30 pm, members of the Bach Chamber Choir will perform John Rutter’s “Requiem,” in memory of Marilyn “Lyn” Klein, wife of long-time Compline Choir member, Bud Klein. The concert will be held at Waiokeola Congregational Church, 4705 Kilauea Avenue, and will be conducted by well-known choral conductor, Dr. Charlene Archibeque from San Jose State University. Bud Klein joined the Compline Choir probably in the 2nd year of its founding (in the late 70s) and Lyn always came with him to rehearsal. She passed away in June of this year, but because so many people were away on vacation (including the Crosiers), the Rutter “Requiem” was postponed until November 13th, her birthday. Lyn taught violin and was active in the Suzuki Association of Hawaii; the “Requiem” was her favorite piece. Light refreshments will follow the concert at Waiokeola, where Bud was the choir director for 40 years.

Then this Sunday, November 14th, the LCH Choir will be performing Peter Hallock’s, “The Last Judgment,” in place of the sermon at both 8:00 am and 10:30 am services. Out of all of Hallock’s compositions, I think “The Last Judgment” is my favorite because of its power and drama. It is set to a text adapted from the poem, “The Last Judgment” from a collection of early English poetry translated by Charles W. Kennedy. There are two baritone solos, both of which will be sung by Keane Ishii, one representing the voice of God, and the other, Jesus. The choir begins the piece softly, accompanied by organ, chimes and vibes, singing “Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, miserere mei.” The quiet is interrupted by the organ bursting forth with reeds, in dialogue with timpani, and the choir shouts “Suddenly, in the night, the day of the Lord will come!” Then follows a spooky “like a wiley thief who walks in darkness,  a robber bold in the black night, who suddenly assails those fast in slumber, lying in wait for the unwary and the unprepared.” The sound of angels blowing trumpets contrasts with another chorus of “Kyrie eleison,” followed by the first baritone solo, which will be sung from the loft: “Suddenly from south and east comes the Creator like the sun gleaming in splendor through the arching heavens.” The choir answers reflectively with “Sanctus, miserere mei, Deus,” followed by a chant-like “The Holy Legions shall rise in Judgment,” sung by the lower voices.  Then “Agnus Dei” begins softly in the tenors and basses, answered by the trebles “Receive life from the Lord,” building to an enormous crescendo on “Kyrie eleison.” It will get incredibly LOUD in the LCH nave, so be forewarned!  However, the piece ends quietly, as do most of Hallock’s works.

We’ve sung this piece three or four times at LCH over the years, and every time, it never fails to give me goosebumps, “chicken skin” as they say in Hawaii. I hope you enjoy it.