The Rose of Calvary

The adult choir will be singing John Martin’s ten-part cantata, The Rose of Calvary, on Maundy Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 7:00pm.  The cantata combines short narratives with compositions for four-part harmony with piano accompaniment.  Service will last about 45 minutes.  Mr. Martin explains his cantata in the Foreword to his composition:

“The image of the sacred power, a divine rose, from heaven’s own garden blooming in the shadows of our world is a portrait of hope and comfort.  When translated into music, it becomes a song that speaks to our deepest needs for restoration and redemption.  It sings to us of the gardens lost to sin and despair.  It reveals to us a lonely garden where ancient olive trees sand silent witness to the suffering of the savior.  It sings of a garden meant for death suddenly springing to life in a shower of joyful alleluias.  It is God’s tender love song reminding us all that we are children of the garden.  Finally, at its heart, it is the music of one truly perfect Rose, who, choosing grace, died for his beloved thorns.”  –Joseph Martin