Sunday, April 12, 2009

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

5 comments:

  1. Roy,
    I remember reading Corinthians for the first time as a teen. It was my favorite book in the Bible. Maybe because it was so...accessible...to a young reader.
    I don't know.
    Thank you for the gorgeous photo.
    Happy Easter.

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  2. ...wonderful that you know Greek and can do your own translation!!

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  3. An interesting shot that makes me contemplate the whole ball of wax!

    I am still pondering the whole soul stuff and your post just reminded me.

    happy spring day!

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  4. I like your lovely Easter tradition. Hope you're enjoying the day, Roy.

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  5. lovely tradition.....one of mine is biting the ears off chocolate rabbits and creating an 'easter tableau' with our jesus action figure which always involves our easter ham (em insists on ham for easter) -

    I won't tell you what we call our tableau, someone may get the wrong idea

    next year I'm going to roll out junk thief's vid featuring the wonderful song by dory previn about if jesus has a baby sister.....

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