TRIBUTE TO A GIFTED MUSIC TEACHER AND CONDUCTOR ~ PAUL WARREN ALLEN ~ BRAHM'S "WARUM..."

We young ladies of the North Central College choir wore these and the young men wore sweat shirts that read "Sons of Levi".


UPDATE
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Uploaded at Facebook with lesser quality to fulfill their 1GB limit.
But at Facebook, the compression didn't ruin the timing of the music with visual elements, which happened at Youtube (which is below from the original post).

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Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog

As stated on the video's end, this video was uploaded numerous times at Youtube. In my software programs, the video project has transitions and text placements perfectly timed to fit the music. But each time I uploaded this video at youtube, the timing was completely off. Obviously, this is a disappointment to me after all the time spent trying to present the music and video the best that I could. But after much tested patience, determination and endurance, I had to surrender and put up a video that is not what I had done. The compression of youtube spoiled what I had attempted to do. But even so, I continue to post one song at a time of this North Central College Choir record from 1968, conducted by Paul Warren Allen and this song therefore had to go up in that effort.

Text from my youtube upload:
Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), op. 74 no. 1 (1877) [satb], from Zwei Motetten, no. 1.

Other songs from the record uploaded are
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee by Jean Berger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22uUsS-63E
I Am the True Vine arranged by Salli Terri
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmZLk36Wqng
It's May, Robert Schumann's Art Song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOlOH1LaUzw

Source of the following is
www.cantate-choir

The imposing opening Adagio (in D minor) of this motet, is punctuated four times by the urgent cry of Warum? (wherefore?). The following sections are in flowing cannon form with a 'warm F major glow' reflecting the text. It ends with a nunc dimittis in chorale form.

About the composer
Johannes Brahms was born 7th of May in 1833 in Hamburg, Germany
Bio:
www.johannesbrahms.org and more at johannesbrahms

Johannes Brahms - (7 May 1833 in Hamburg, Germany to 3 April 1897 in Vienna, Austria)

Brahms studied piano from the age of seven and composition from thirteen. He had a lifelong interest in early music and amongst his generation he was without equal in sophisticated contrapuntal technique. He did not enjoy a meeting of minds with composers of the New German School, but his artistic kinship with Robert Schumann and his passion and veneration for Clara Schumann are well known influences on his life. Whether or not Brahms was a believer, he whole-heartedly accepted the Christain ethic and admired and embraced the literature and poetry of the Bible. His background was North German Lutheran Protestant. This inheritance gave to his choral music 'a noble human consolation' and air of hope.

His musical style was of the romantic school; his nature was introspective, reserved, logical and studious. Musicologists point to the essence of all these influences being demonstrated in the a capella motets spread over thirty years, and in his other sacred music, but most especially in the German Requiem.

Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; which rejoice exceedingly and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3, 20-23)

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens (Lamentations 3, 41)

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. (James 5, 11)

With peace and joy I go forth in the will of God, my heart and mind are comforted, gentle and still. As God has promised me, death but becomes sleep to me. (Martin Luther - 1524)

Entry on Brahms ~ wikipedia

Free MP3's of Johannes Brahms~
music/Johannes+Brahms

This recording was done in Pfeiffer Hall in the spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois, outside of Chicago at North Central College. Three years later the college eliminated the music department. The decision was made by the college President, Arlo Schilling.

It was the year of 1971, the flourishing music department was cut out of the school. A church affiliated college with no music department.

The following is taken from the NCC website on the history of it association with churches ~
"Originally founded in 1861 by the Evangelical Association, North Central College became affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC) when the Association's inheritors, the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB), merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to form the new denomination... We're proud of our association with the UMC and its deep commitment to spiritual renewal and social justice." northcentralcollege

Eighteen years later, in 1989, the music department was brought back.

The history of The Naperville Chorus ~

In the 1960's Dr. Paul Warren Allen of the North Central College Music Department melded the vocal talents of students, college personnel, and community members into a forerunner of the Naperville Chorus. The NCC-Community Chorus flourished and performed contemporary and traditional choral works until 1971, when financial cutbacks at the college eliminated the Music Department.

Read the entire article at www.napervillechorus

Virtual tour of NCC ~ virtualtour