Rev.11/03/10 MENDELLSSOHN CONCERT 4:00 pm Sunday, November 7, 2010 and Sunday, November 14, 2010 On Sunday, November 14, FPC's Chancel Choir partnered with the choir of Troy First United Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Maury Castro, to perform the magnificent cantata Lauda Sion, as well as other works by Felix Mendelssohn. In addition to the combined choirs, the concerts will feature members of the Hyperion String Quartet, soloists from our church and, of course our esteemed organist, Nancy Frank. Each church hosted: in Troy on November 7, 4 p.m. and at 4 p.m. on November 14 at First Pres. Many of our church family and community friends came to join us during one of these afternoons of powerful, sacred music by one of the great composers. THE HYPERION STRING QUARTET includes Amanda Brin, Jamecyn Morey, William Hakim and Jonathan Brin. (Let your ears decide if their time was well spent at Eastman, Julliard, Interlochen, and Kent State.) Click here to visit their website. For nearly 200 years, the music of Felix Mendelssohn has been a source of great inspiration, musically, socially, and spiritually. Hailing from a respected Jewish family that converted to Christianity when he was a child, Mendelssohn incorporated a strong sense of faith, tradition, and community in his music. Raised in a home that encouraged independent thought, artistic expression, and appreciation of culture, Mendelssohn incorporated all of these things into his work. In addition to his own works, Mendelssohn is also credited with bringing about a renewed interest in music from previous generations, including the music of J.S. Bach, who had largely been forgotten before Mendelssohn’s time. Mendelssohn was also deeply committed to the development of a society that incorporated “receptivity to tradition; faith in God; tolerance; and a sense of community.” Many of his works demonstrate that philosophy. One of his later works was the cantata Lauda Sion, written for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, which incorporated much of his comprehensive philosophy. The large text speaks to the community of believers as they partake in communion together, which directs their attention to the glory and mercy of their Savior and incorporates the lineage of saints who have shared in the Sacred Banquet. Mendelssohn’s music beautifully depicts all of these ideas through a beautiful tapestry of sound woven together in his unique and reverent style -  Michael Lister, Director of Music