Art for art’s sake? We understand the question; in fact, we enjoy the debate. But no. No way. Form and content will always be in tension. Both are vitally important. Shakespeare is great because he’s great with language. But Shakespeare is even greater because he put that language to great use. It pushes beyond itself to the human condition, to life, yes, to God.
We witnessed great art put to great use at Chautauqua recently. It happened during a performance of Brahms’ “A German Requiem,” Opus 45, by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. Robert Duerr was the guest conductor. The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus was present, with soloists Janice Chandler-Eteme, soprano and Tyler Duncan, baritone.
We had heard of Chautauqua all our lives, although we had never been there. This summer, we were graced with a visit in that summer place in western New York on the shore of Lake Chautauqua. For one week I was privileged to serve as the chaplain of the Presbyterian House. On July 20th, the Friday before our arrival, we awoke to the news of mass murder at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. The news was horrifying. It weighed heavily upon us; we were riveted by press coverage of the needless violence. (Question: Is it needless to put the word ‘needless’ before the word ‘violence’?)
When we reached Chautauqua, we were greeted by Ann, a member of our church, and by some other friends, old and new. But our happy chatter quickly dropped into lowered voices, flattened tones and shaken heads. Everyone seemed to have Aurora on their minds. Yes, the news out of Colorado was devastating. Those poor people: the dead, the injured, their families, and the witnesses in that place of darkness and death. It is most difficult to nurture life, to support environments for human flourishing, but how pitiably easy to destroy life. No skill whatsoever required for that.
That night, 5,000 Chautauquans assembled in their amphitheater for their performance of the Brahms’ “Requiem”. We did not realize what was coming together until we heard the chorus begin with words from Christ’s sermon on the mount: Blessed be they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. The revelation moistened more eyes than our own.
Our congregation studied the Brahms’ “Requiem” a few years ago. What we learned then was confirmed that Saturday night. Brahms all but perfectly weaves his music around biblical words of loss and resurrection. He brings the audience low and takes it high, creating an orchestral and choral voice as complex as life itself, especially when lived staring unblinking into the face of death. His lows are honest, not lurid. His highs are not sentimental but true.
In the “Requiem’s” fifth movement, the soprano sings, “Ye now are sorrowful.” The chorus answers, “Yea, I will comfort you.” The soloist had the last word and the last sustained note, which she laid beautifully on the listener’s ear. As she released that note, it was picked up by a clarinet, and then a flute entered from a higher place, introducing meaningful dissonance. From there the whole orchestra came to life and resolved the two notes into one powerful chord. This chord opened the sixth movement, which sang of our temporary abode in this life (Heb. 13:14), and the mystery of eternity in the next (I Cor. 15:51). Rarely have we been so touched by a symphonic concert. This was art at its best, which did not call undue attention to itself but pointed to something higher.
It’s like standing graveside with a family and fellow mourners. Grief shared, as with the soprano’s final note, honors the dead through memory that is part sad, part grateful. Then the moment broadens to bring comfort and hope to the living. Life after this death arises possible again, even, by grace, better, stronger.
DEE WADE is the pastor of Anchorage Presbyterian Church in Anchorage, Ky.
