Music Notes for July 5, 2026

Music for Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

During communion today, we hear one of many well-beloved arias from Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. Written on the heels of his successful revival of Bach’s passions according to St. John and St. Matthew in Leipzig and in England, this music was written near the end of Mendelssohn’s life in 1846 and commissioned for the Birmingham Festival in the U.K..

One cannot hear Elijah without drawing similarities to sacred Lutheran music of the 18th century, namely the aforementioned passion oratorios. The libretto closely follows the biblical accounts, infusing the narrative with reflective moments in the forms of arias, which provide poetic commentary on the events happening – in this case, verses taken from a baroque chorale by Burmeister which paraphrases Elijah’s words in 1 Kings.

The context for this aria occurs towards the end of the oratorio, when Elijah despairs that his prophetic mission has failed. At first glance, the text seems rather miserable, asking for death and listing the misdeeds of the Israelites. To the contrary, I find Es ist genug to be a desperate plea for relief from the inherent difficulties of the human experience. Elijah’s prayer comes out of a moment devoid of hope, truth, and faith in humanity, a moment where he feels he has let down God by his shortcomings. He asks God to “take his soul” not out of self-despair, but out of a desire to return home.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the flawed perspective that in many ways defines our human fallibility. Elijah’s words as a fallible human himself mirror many of Jesus’s prayers throughout the Gospels, asking the Father’s forgiveness and to be taken home. The resolution of this despair comes not only in the forgiveness of humanity but in the promise of eternal life; in the case of Elijah, his passage to heaven in a chariot of fire at the end of Mendelssohn’s oratorio.

Abraham Ross

Solemn Mass takes place at St. James’ Anglican Church, Vancouver at 10:30 am every Sunday.

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Applications Being Accepted for Organ Scholar at St. James’

St. James’ Anglican Church of Vancouver, BC invites applications for the position of organ scholar beginning in September 2026. Seeking candidates currently in their post-secondary education or early career in music (university student or recent bachelor’s diploma) with standing experience in sacred music.

The organ scholar will coach with Director of Music Dr. Abraham Ross on service playing, conducting, and accompaniment in a strong Anglican tradition emphasizing plainchant, renaissance polyphony, choral anthems of the 19th-20th centuries, and new music. They will benefit from regular practice hours on St. James’ historic Casavant & Frères op. 1605 (1938, 3 manuals and pedal) in the 3-second acoustic of the sanctuary. They will support the 18-voice semi-professional High Mass Choir by singing with them regularly, completing administrative tasks, and providing accompaniment at rehearsals and services. The organ scholar will also provide coverage for occasional rehearsals and services when the Director is absent.

The position will be quarter-time during weeks when the choir is in session (September through June with a week off after New Years), in an effort to align with the schedule of university student who might travel home on breaks. The position will be renumerated according to RCCO guidelines based on the experience and qualifications of the candidate.

CVs and letters of interest may be sent to Dr. Abraham Ross by August 2, 2026 at [email protected].

For any questions, please inquire at the church office (604) 685-2532.

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