Music Notes for St. James’ Day — July 28, 2024

Verleih uns Frieden – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

 

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Felix Mendelssohn’s (1809-1847) Verleih uns Frieden, this morning’s communion motet, was composed during the period following the composer’s first flush of public success with such undisputed masterpieces as the String Octet and the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Between May 1830 and October 1831 Mendelssohn undertook a gruelling tour which included stops at Munich, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Pressburg, Graz, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Genoa, Milan and Geneva. By far the longest stay was in Rome, between November 1830 and April 1831, and it was there that he composed this prayer for peace, dated on the manuscript February 10, 1831.

This magical piece, originally scored for choir, two flutes, two clarinets, two bassoons, strings and organ, is a continuous, three-verse setting (the same text is heard three times) in four parts. The floated introduction leads directly into the quietly contemplative first verse set for basses and tenors alone. Only the last verse utilizes the full forces available, and does so with a generous warmth of expression that leaves one in no doubt that ultimate peace cannot be far away.

Lord God, graciously grant us peace
in our time.
There is no one else who can fight for us,
except you, our God, alone.

Gerald Harder