67th Performance
Mendelssohn C minor Piano Trio:
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin; Wayne Smith, cello; David Berry, piano
December 4th, 2013
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
For
today’s Music Kitchen it was great to be back at Holy Apostles Soup
Kitchen. This time I had a chance to see it from a new perspective:
prior to their serving hours, as the volunteers were organizing and
preparing for their guests. Even at 10am, the line of people waiting to
enter was fairly lengthy and beginning to wrap around the building. As
the first guests in line arrived, the large nave had a bit of morning
stillness which was the perfect environment to begin our enigmatic
Mendelssohn C minor trio. That stillness quickly gave way to the bustle
that is Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, feeding up to 1400 meals in two
hours. For this concert the director of the program created a special
seating area in front of us, so that guests finishing their meal and
wanting to focus on the music up close could do so.
Many
of the listeners were instantly intrigued. One gentleman replied with
excitement as I made the rounds to each table to inform them that there
would be a concert. “A concert?!” he said, eyes instantly shining more
brightly than a moment before.
We
had a wonderful program for today. I was very pleased to be able to
present my Ritz Chamber Players colleagues performing the Mendelssohn C
minor trio which we had just performed on tour in Jacksonville Florida
and Edgerton, Wisconsin. Within the context of those engagements, we
had the opportunity to perform the piece numerous times, so our musical
lines had an easy rapport with one another and were heightened in their
expression. I love to allow Music Kitchen audiences to benefit from the
rehearsal hours of prior performances. One of my favorite aspects of
the Mendelssohn Trio is his setting of a traditional Christian hymn tune
that Mendelssohn incorporates into the last movement, known in many
churches as “The Doxology”: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”.
As in the concert hall, I introduced it to the audience here by playing
the complete melody as most people know it. It is striking how each
time I demonstrate this melody, my lines on the violin are accompanied
by the faint yet unmistakable wisp in the air of humming along, like
incense which seems to come from everywhere at once. In the trio the
melody is presented in the last movement, and Mendelssohn uses only the
part of the melody which states the words: “Praise God from whom all
blessings flow.” It occurs in stately perfection, first in muted tones,
then finally in full emphatic voice, modulated to a higher key. I love
talking to audiences about both the Christian and Jewish musical
influences in this work and did so today as well. The audience
applauded enthusiastically after each movement, even when it seemed that
some had not been really paying attention. During the first movement, I
heard a spirited “Play it brother!” exclaimed from someone nearby. And
at the conclusion of the piece, which shortly follows the declamatory
musical statement of “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow,” the
audience responded with a rousing ovation. When I asked if anyone
wanted to pose for a group photo, several came forward. A woman in that
group was eager to ask me a question which, judging by the seriousness
of her expression, was of deep personal significance to her. I leaned
in closer and she said, “Do you know the Hatikvah?” Fortunately I have
played the Israeli National Anthem many times on stage, but asked her to
remind me of the first lines. I began to play along. She sang the
somber strains along with me as I played and was so consumed it seemed
that nothing else in the world mattered. I too was drawn into the
heartfelt yet understated passion of her singing. When the anthem was
over, she thanked me sincerely and proceeded to walk away with a new
sense of contentedness. Her name and accent were Spanish, but I asked
if she was from Israel. Unexpectedly, she retreated once again into
herself and her response was barely a murmur. It reminded me powerfully
how music can go places that words cannot.
Following are the comments from the listeners:
Excellent…We need more music like this.
Table 10 – Radford F.
I liked that classical music, but above all the passion and personality of de Artist.
Beautiful Relaxing Music- Thank U
I like a lot your music. I think it’s the best sound that anybody enjoy life
Persio
Elselente (excellent)
Jose
Very good – I enjoyed the Mendelson! I like all the strings – you all are a great band! Thank you!
Steven R.
Bond for Diversity
They’re great
Table 10 – N.C.
You guys did an AWESOME JOB!!
Kenny
Great work. Keep up the good work…
S.L.
Thank you for your support of Music Kitchen Concerts!
Happy Holidays,
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, President/Founder/Violinist
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