April 17th, 2011
 We began Holy week with our Easter cantata. Our Cantoria Choir performed "the Rose of Calvary", by Joseph M. Martin. This cantata carried the same theme, but continued beyond the cantata performed by the Choir in December, "The Winter Rose". In "the Rose of Calvary", the narrative portrays the life, ministry, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Rose of Sharon.
The image of a sacred flower, a divine rose, from heaven's own garden blooming in the shadows of our world is a portrait of hope and comfort. When translated into music, it becomes a song that speaks to our deepest needs for restoration and redemption. It sings to us of gardens lost to sin and despair. It reveals to us a lonely garden where ancient olive trees stand silent witness to the suffering of the savior. It sings of a garden meant for death suddenly springing to life in a shower of joyful alleluias. It is God's tender love song reminding us all that we are children of the garden. Finally, at its heart, it is the music of one truly perfect Rose, who, choosing grace, died for his beloved thorns.
|
Cantoria Choir 
