Easter

I'm not a Christian; my beliefs run to a more earth-centered, human-based spirituality. But I recognize in Easter the need in all humans to celebrate the return of warmth and growth after the stasis of Winter, no matter what belief system they embed such a celebration in. And I have my own Easter tradition, to play Brahms' German Requiem, because unlike the regular requiem mass, Brahms offers consolation and celebrates the triumph of life over death, themes much in keeping with both Easter and the celebration of the equinox. I've included the climactic sixth movement below, which includes in the libretto the text from 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 55, Paul's shout of the triumph of life over death. I've also included that verse below, in my own translation from the original Greek text.

Enjoy your Easter!

Listen closely, I'll tell you a secret: we won't all die, but we'll all be transformed - in a flash, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will rise up untouched by death, and we'll be transformed. Because this dying body must put on the undying, and this mortal must put on immortality. And when the dying puts on the undying, and the mortal puts on the immortal, then what was written will occur:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O Death, is your sting?
Where, O grave, is your victory?"

– 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 55

Music: Johannes Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, movement #6

Photograph © 2008 & 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger