Le Violette

Le Violette ~ A Scarlatti

Rugiadose
Odorose
Violette graziose,
Voi vi state
Vergognose,
Mezzo ascose
Fra le foglie,

E sgridate
Le mie voglie,
Che son troppo ambiziose.

Translation 

Dewy
Scented
Pretty violets,
You are standing
Shy,
Half hidden
Among the leaves,

And you scold
My desires,
That are too ambitious. 

Grade 5 Vocal Exam Pieces

Now Thank We All Our God

In everything give thanks...

How do we give thanks to God when we are suffering, sick or depraved? The situation at hand tended to crowd our understand of the broader picture that God has for our whole life. Pain and sadness may be so strong at the moment, but how can it be compared to the blessings and joy that we otherwise obtained during other parts of our lives? It is our limited human understanding that kept us myopic in our views of the world around us. It is our limited capability that kept us from seeing the whole picture that God created in our lives.

If our lives flashed, for a brief moment, across our eyes, and we finally saw the good works of God, would we not see? Would we not give thanks?

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices.

The author, Martin Rinkart wrote this hymn during the times of the Thirty Years' War that raged through Germany. Imagine having to care for the sick and dying, and bury the dead, and at the same time preach the Gospel and give thanks? Had he stopped and lamented for a brief moment on the hopeless desperation, he would have lost sight of God's sovereignty.  With faith, there is trust, and the belief that all sufferings were but temporal, nothing except God's love will last forever.

Rinkart composed this hymn in thanksgiving for the survivors of Eilenberg, Germany. May we all remember God's goodness to us.

Taken from Then Sings the Soul, Robert J. Morgan, 2003

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Martin Luther - great reformer, Bible translator, political leader, fiery preacher and theologian.
Martin Luther - great musician! He restored worship to the German Church, created new music for Christians, helped revived congregational singing and wrote hymns.

"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." Martin Luther. None could articulate this any better than him.

This hymn reflects Luther's awareness of our intense struggle with Satan. In difficulty and in danger, Luther would often resort to this song, based on Psalm 46. This translation that appeared in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Church Book of 1868 is most apt in expressing this faith that, God indeed is our mighty fortress, none will prevail except Him!

This rendition by Steven Green is the cleanest, clearest and strongest version to proclaim God's power.  A standing ovation, for God, is certainly in order!

Taken from Then Sing My Soul, Robert Morgan, 2003.