An evening of singing classic German hymns in German
Tuesday 17th September 2024 7pm
The German hymn tradition is one of the finest, with a rich treasure
store of hymns from the majestic to the intensely personal stretching
back 500 years to Luther himself.
Come and spend an evening singing some of the best of them, in German
and in harmony.
Don't worry if your German is rusty or non-existent—German is quite an
easy language for English-speakers to read, with straightforward
phonetic spelling.
This event will take place in a remarkable and little-known location:
St George's Lutheran Church, Alie Street, Whitechapel.It is the
oldest surviving German church in Britain, and dates from 1762. Its
interior, almost intact, is the perfect setting for singing these
wonderful hymns.
This is an evening event that I am leading and
is one of the monthly series of cultural evenings held at St George's
by The Historic Chapels Trust who now care for it.
Programme
Tuesday 17th September 2024
St George's German Lutheran
Church, 55 Alie Street, E1 8EB
4pm Rehearsal for Choir members
7pm Start of event
Ein feste Burg Luther
Wachet auf, uns ruft die Stimme Nicolai
Es ist das Heil uns kommen her Speratus
Nun danket alle Gott Rinckhart
Der Mond ist aufgegangen Claudius
Nun ruhen alle Wälder Gerhardt
Stark ist meines Jesu Hand Garve
Von guten Mächten wunderbar geboren Bonhoeffer
plus some other interesting items including an organ piece by the St
George's organist.
At the end of the evening wine and cakes will be served.
I hope very much that this rare chance to sing some of these wonderful
hymns will appeal and that many of you will come. It is hosted by St
George's and as one of their regular monthly series the ticket is only
£7, payable on the door. There will also be others attending who are
their regulars.
This is really quite a rare opportunity to sing some of the best
hymns ever written. Don't miss it!
I am forming a
small choir to sing a traditional German short sacred anthem.
If you are interested to be part of this mini-choir please let me
know.
You will then also provide a good foundation for harmony singing of
the hymns, which I very much want to achieve. It is not only the way
to enjoy hymns at their best, but also firmly in the tradition of
German hymn singing in church and—something that was very important in
traditional German culture—in the home.
If you would like to attend this event and be part of the mini-choir,
please let me know at phil@withcheerfulvoice.org.uk.
For those of you who will be singin in this choir, here is the score
which you will need to download, print and bring on the day.
And here is a set of part-learning videos. Watch the one for your
part, and it shows the score and plays the music with your part
highlighter. So just watch and sing along as often as you need to.
For those whose German is a little rusty, there is also a
speak-through of the lyrics, for you to listen and then speak along
with.
You must learn your part and be confident and accurate in advance,
as we will only have time for a brief rehearsal on the day.
