| Description: | Today, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. It is the day that recalls the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, marking His official induction intoJudaism, that is celebrated by many Christian Churches on the holiday of Candlemas. It is described in the Gospel of Luke. Within the account, "Luke's narration of the Presentation in the Temple combines the purification rite with the Jewish ceremony of the redemption of the firstborn.
Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.
"Die heilige Jungfrau, Op.70" was published by Hansen in 1899. It presents six "events" in the life of the Virgin Mary, and this one is the 4th of the set.
Once again, we find Malling gathering his thoughts and descriptions is a master storyteller and tone painter. The music depicts the events with color and intensity, and the work ends with a transformation of the opening material.
Notice also that the chorale, "How brightly shines the Morning-Star" is used again. Obviously a favorite of Malling's, it helps to "conclude" the brightness of the post-Epiphany season.
The score is attached below, as well as art depicting the Presentation, and several photos of Otto Malling.
The scriptural reference is given in the First Comment. |
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