Oratorio

Oh, what a truly wonderful experience I had last night. After months of preparation, the GBS Choir presented the annual Oratorio. I have loved every minute of it! I played with the instrumental ensemble on Franz Joseph Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross. It was so exciting because I was able to play with eight professional musicians, along with the regular ensemble, and alumni! There was an oboe (who I sat by), a violin, two violas, a cello, a trombone, a bassoon, and a double bass that were our guest professional musicians. The oboist was amazing and so kind. She actually plays in the Clermont Symphony, and I live in Clermont County which I thought was cool. She was soo good! The night of the dress rehearsal after we rehearsed I asked her if she was sight reading, and she said that she looked it over the day before! She played the whole work perfectly, except for the last song she made a few mistakes. She was awesome! I really think having her there helped me to play better. Even Chen said that playing with them helps us to play better. The church was beautiful and had wonderful acoustics. Oh, I enjoyed it soo much!

The words to the Haydn are beautiful too. Since I was playing, I hadn't really paid much attention to the words, but last night I read them out of the program -- wow! These words were from the first song:

" 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.' Father in heaven! Oh, see us kneeling. Look down from Your throne. Father, forgive us! They Son entreats Thee, oh hear Him pleading and interceding, that mercy be shown. Ah, we are grievous sinners, and great is our guilt. Forgiveness and grace to win us our Saviour's blood was spilled, sacred blood was spilled. Our Saviour's blood asks no revenge, it flows to cleanse us. Father eternal! Let Thy grace attend us. Let mercy be shown."

This is just the first one and there are seven more just as expressive and beautiful as the first. Reading the words just showed me how wonderful my Savior is to come and die to redeem me, a "grievous sinner" because of His infinite mercy and love.

It was a wonderful night. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity.