Dr. John Alexander, Director of Music Ministry & Principal Organist at First Presbyterian Greensboro NC, will perform musical interpretations of the Stations of the Cross composed by the French composer, Marcel Dupré. Dr. Alexander is a former student of St. George’s Music Director and Organist, Dr. André Lash,
The Stations of the Cross, celebrated for centuries during Lent, are visual depictions of 14 incidents in the life of Jesus from the moment of his condemnation in Pilate’s court through his falls on the way to Calvary, the grief of his mother, the carrying of his cross by Simon of Cyrene, through his death on the cross. Most frequently these depictions are used as a guide to devotional thought and prayer. Though primarily intended for quiet private introspection, they also have given rise to a number of artistic expressions over the years.
The French poet Paul Claudel (1868-1955) wrote a set of poems, each one a brief reflection on a different Station, in 1911. In 1931 the great French organist and composer Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) was invited to improvise a brief musical commentary to be played with Claudel’s poetry at each Station. Although the organ settings were improvised on the spot as a musical response to the spiritual meaning of each individual Station as well as to Claudel’s words, the profound musical depth of the improvisations was such that Dupré’s wife urged him afterwards to write them down and have them published. The result was one of Dupré’s most profound compositions, one which is still occasionally played in its complete form.
Dr. Alexander will perform Dupré’s improvisations. This will be an evening of profoundly beautiful music to deepen your own Lenten meditations.