MOS To Dedicate Brahms' German Requiem To The Memory of Those Who Lost Their Lives in the Tragic Events of September 11, 2001

It has been said, "music expresses that which is inexpressible."  Certainly, the recent events in our nation find us each searching for a way to understand the changed world in which we live.  I'm sure that you, as well as I, have been reminded during these days of the power of music to strengthen, support, comfort, encourage and heal.  We sing America the Beautiful and God Bless America with lumps in our throats. We hear a stirring performance of The Star Spangled Banner and stand a little taller, even as we fight back the tears.  At this time of profound patriotism in the U.S.A., we find that our heightened emotions are often best expressed through music.
  

As we in the MOS prepare for our first concert of the 2001-2002 Season, we have decided to dedicate our performance of A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms to the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11.  

The Requiem, which will be performed in English, uses texts personally selected by the composer.  While a traditional Requiem centers on prayers for the dead, this setting emphasizes hope and consolation for the living.
  

Hear these words from A German Requiem:

Blest are they who are sorrowful; blest are they that mourn; for they shall have comfort.

For mortal flesh is as the grass, and all the comeliness of man is as the grasses' flowers.

Lo, I unfold unto you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the time of the last trumpet!

"Blessed are the dead, who in the Lord die, from henceforth," yea, the Spirit speaks, "that they rest from all their labor; for their works do follow after them."

I invite you to join The Michael O'Neal Singers and Chamber Singers, soloists Lisa Young and John LaForge, and a professional orchestra comprised of some of Atlanta's finest instrumentalists on Sunday, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Roswell United Methodist Church as we perform A German Requiem.  May it be a time of shared remembrance and hope for the future.