The music of Robert Schumann (1810-1856) is most often associated with symphonies and piano music, not with hymnody. Although he did not write any original hymn tunes, some of his melodies have been adapted by hymnal editors. Our Hymn of the Day, “Lord, Speak to Us, That We May Speak” is based on a tune derived from the fourth piano piece in the composer’s Nachtstücke, Opus 23 (1839). The tune’s title, CANONBURY, refers to a street and square in Islington, London, England. One of the greatest musicians of the Romantic period, Schumann did not at first seem destined for a musical career. From 1828 to 1830 he studied law at Leipzig and Heidelberg Universities, but much of his time was consumed with music and poetry. From 1830 until his death Schumann devoted his life to music. After a finger injury terminated his concert career as a pianist in 1832, he turned completely to composition. Schumann composed successfully in many genres but became especially famous for his piano works and song cycles. In 1840 he married Clara Wieck, whom he had known since 1828; she was a famous pianist and composer in her own right who inspired many of Schumann’s songs. He suffered from depression for much of his adult life and in 1854 after an unsuccessful suicide attempt, was admitted to a mental institution, where he later died.
Our postlude is a joyous, exclamatory organ composition by Christiaan Nobels based on text from Psalm 89, “I will extol thee, Lord”. Nobels (1938-2015) grew up listening to organ concerts with his father on Saturday evenings in the Wilhelminakerk in Rotterdam. The last concert Nobels attended here was on the eve of the Great North Sea flood of 1953. A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm caused the sea to flood land over 18 feet above sea level. After this, Nobels emigrated with his family from Holland to Canada. Nobels began studying the organ in his 20s and was soon able to play for Sunday services at church. Music played a major role in Christiaan’s life. He served as president of the Ontario Christian Music Assembly for more than 40 years. Eventually he put his hand to writing music, making extensive use of the computer. The Psalms and Hymns in the Book of Praise were his main source of inspiration.
In early 2013 he was diagnosed with cancer of the spine. It was difficult to sit at the organ for longer than about ten minutes and therefore it curtailed his ability to compose music as well. Nobels passed away in 2015.
