Requiem Grace

By Carol Plueddemann

Music is one of the most significant “means of grace” in my life. I enjoy a whole variety of music—hymns, country, contemporary, Black gospel, jazz and all varieties of ethnic expression. I’m no expert when it comes to classical music, but Brahms’ Requiem has become one of my favorite pieces. Each year during Easter week, I listen to this celebration of those who have died in Christ. I give it my full attention, following along with the score and the English translation of the German text.

Why this Requiem? I first sang this piece with the Jos Community Choir when we served as missionaries with SIM in Nigeria. We weren’t a polished group, but we sang from our hearts. Though still in my twenties, I had begun to experience the sorrows of death in the loss of our close friends Len Dyck and Elsbeth Christensen. Later I sang this work with the Wheaton Choral Union on the first-year anniversary of my father’s death. Unlike other requiems, the text of Brahms’ Requiem is all Scripture.

The piece begins slowly with a somber melody: Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall have comfort and soon moves to the glad reminder that Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Then an ominous pounding of drums announces, Behold all flesh is as the grass. The grass withers and the flower decays. In contrast, The Word of the Lord endureth forevermore. Here the music becomes bright, solid and hopeful and transitions to the joyful parade of the redeemed as they come to Zion. Joy and gladness, these shall be their portion. Pain and sighing shall flee.

As I turn the pages of my score, I see margin notes pencilled in during the many rehearsals I attended. I smile as I note that these musical reminders are also appropriate life challenges: Watch! Sustain—don’t fade. Don’t rush. Support—breathe! Sing sweetly.

Lord, make me to know the measure of my days on earth—to consider my frailty—that I must perish…Now, Lord, O, what do I wait for? My hope is in Thee. And then the sweet music of the well-known piece How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs for the courts of the Lord. My soul and body cry out for the living God. These words from Psalm 84 resonate with my longings for our true Home. The subject and counter-subject weave a glorious blend as They praise thy name evermore.

The fifth movement is written in memory of Brahms’ mother. I will comfort you as one whom his own mother comforts. The soaring, sorrowful soprano solo is among the loveliest music composed by mortals. I remember listening to this piece with Gail Pauls in Chile. We both agreed that it is almost too exquisite to bear and truly makes one homesick for heaven where we will experience music in brand new dimensions.

Here on earth we have no continuing place. The music is foreboding at this point but becomes brighter as pilgrims are assured Howbeit, we seek one to come. And then, Lo, I unfold unto you a mystery… (Brahms’ music here rivals any mystery soundtrack.) We shall not all sleep—We shall all be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the sound of a trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. (in-cor-RUPT-ible!) For death shall be swallowed in victory! (Can you hear the blast of the trumpets?) Death—where is thy sting? Grave—where is thy triumph?

Now the music explodes in a glorious chorale: Lord, Thou art worthy to be praised! And then a confident, calm affirmation: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. They rest from their labors and their works follow after them.

Those who live and die in the Lord have eternal significance. Though their earthly lives are like grass, they will be raised—incorruptible-- to praise God forever. Brahms’ Requiem is a foretaste of that praise.