Ian Aipperspach

Check back soon for more updates!

​

March 6, 2022

​

This year, I'm attempting to make a Lenten discipline of Music and Scripture.

 

My church the last few years has sung Joseph W. Clokey's setting of "Treasures in Heaven" - it is a unique piece as it rarely uses root position movement. The basses are almost always in inversion over a long-sustained pedal note in the organ (I hesitate to call it a drone, but it borders on it). The text from Matthew 6: 19-21 has always struck me as poignant "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (ESV) But it has also struck me as an interesting choice for Ash Wednesday. I will admit it was not until this year, that is finally made sense. The key words of Ash Wednesday are "remember that you are dust" - Things of this earth will pass away but with our salvation in Christ, we lay up treasures in heaven. Soli Deo Gloria!

​

April 14, 2017 - Good Friday

​

Today, I review Bob Chilcott’s setting of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” from his 2013 composition, St. John Passion. The complete work, scored for either organ or small chamber ensemble is very singable and accessible to all ensembles and the text taken from the Gospel of John is set dramatically, yet optimistically.

 

Chilcott’s new melody, entitled Amelia, is reminiscent of an English folk-tune. There are other instances of tunes with this name, but this setting is original and not related either the Bradbury or Main tunes of the same name. How Chilcott has set the text is intriguing, there are no pauses, even though it’s strophic. He adds more elements on every stanza. These are reflective of the text. Isaac Watts, the author of the text, starts with our personal reflection of the cross and that there’s nothing more than the cross which points us to salvation. Removing our pride, we sacrifice them “to his blood” which leads us to remember the sorrow and love that flowed down upon us while we look u to see the crown of thorns that pierced the HIS brow. Finally, in the last stanza, Chilcott sets the tune in a more triumphant manner that reminds us that “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” HIS love is larger than us and is a reminder HE has our lives and the entire world in HIS hands. This was a new work for me and I encourage you to check out the entire St. John Passion, Chilcott wrote. As we remember Christ's death and resurrection, let us remember that the cross of Christ stands as a beacon for "It is Finished," but the empty tomb stands as a beacon for "He is not here, he is risen as he said he would." Christ died for our sins and rose that we may live eternally with HIM.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

March 25, 2016 – Good Friday

​

And with a loud voice, Jesus cried, exclaiming, “IT IS FINISHED!”

And He did bow His head, and rendered up His spirit.

 

And it was about the sixth hour; and the sun was darkened, and darkness covered the earth, until about the ninth hour; and the veil of the temple was rent, and all the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent, and all the graves were opened wide. (Copied from Theodore Dubois's The Seven Last Words of Christ and from Matthew 27 & Luke 23)

 

The last of the seven words of Christ on the cross: “IT IS FINISHED” represents for us that salvation had finally been completed in the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Christ himself replaced the temple sacrifice and with the tearing of the veil of the Holy of Holies, we now had complete access to God and all that come to HIM might have salvation. What a magnificent thought that the whole earth moved in recognition of God’s majesty and those who had died in Christ were resurrected to tell of God’s love and mercy. Let us thank HIM for our salvation.

 

Today’s musical example is the Seventh Word from Theodore Dubois’s setting of the seven Last Words. Premiered in 1867, Dubois’s work is a masterpiece of Romantic music, almost Victorian in nature, as it is full of text painting. As you listen to the selection, note the simple outer sections of “It is finished” and the closing prayer, “Christ We Do All Adore Thee.” He leaves the dramaticism to illustrate the tearing of the temple veil, the quaking of the earth, the splittling of rocks, and the bursting forth of the righteous from the graves. As the music simmers to the prayer, one can almost hear the Roman centurion say, “Surely, HE was (and is) the Son of God.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 14, 2016

 

The appointed Psalm for the day is Psalm 91. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91: 1 - 2, NIV). What comforting thoughts that we as Christians, who abide in the shelter of the Lord, will be kept safe, for HE will command HIS angels to watch over us and will not let us be dashed against the stones.

 

As we journey through Lent, this passage is referenced in Luke 4, where the devil tempts Jesus during his 40 days in the wilderness. The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and told him that if he jumped, angels would rescue him and not allow his feet to be dashed against the stones. Jesus reminded the evil one that we are not to put the Lord, our God to the test (Luke 4:12). We are to serve GOD in all our ways and honor him in our actions and deeds, not see if GOD can save us in ways unbecoming to HIS will and teachings.

 

Today's musical example is Josquin des Prez's setting of the first eight verses of Psalm 91. His "qui habitat" is set for 24 voices, truly a polyphonic marvel. Josquin layers in the voices one at a time, working through it mostly from soprano to bass. It is an example of text painting as the scripture talks about how we will be saved from pestilence and that even though thousands and ten thousands may perish, those who trust in HIM shall be saved. The piece ends with the voices coming back together after the rabble of the multitude.

 

 

 

 

\

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 10, 2016

 

Ash Wednesday begins the journey to the cross and resurrection.

 

It is a day where the palms from the previous Palm Sunday have been burned and turned to ash. We as penitent Christians come forward to be marked with the sign of the cross, a wooden structure, that also returned to ash and dust. The marking of the cross on a Christians forehead is a reminder that from dust we have been created and to dust we shall return.

 

A central passage for the day is Psalm 51 where the Psalmist proclaims "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51: 1). The period of Lent is a reminder for us to turn our faces towards God and thank HIM for his lovingkindness and salvation. Without HIS journey to the cross and resurrection we would not have the assurance of eternal life.

 

Our individual continuous prayer should be to ask God to "purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit" (Psalm 51: 7-12).

 

What an exciting thing to bask in the "joy of salvation" and proclaim it to all we meet.

 

Musically, sometimes simpler is better. We can get caught up in beautiful melodies, harmonies, and craftmanship, but for this occasion, simple is graceful. Our musical setting today is an Anglican Chant setting of Psalm 51. As you listen, ponder the meekness and contrite spirit as not only displayed in the Psalm but the musical setting. Note the change in dynamics in the choir and organ in verses 7 & 8, 14, and 19. The change is reminiscent of the gladness that comes with salvation.

 

N.B.: I do not own the copyrights to these recordings. They are intended to aid in your spiritual journey and life.