February 17, 2025
By: Guest Blogger Timothy Sawyer
Artistic Director and Conductor
Two Rivers Chorale

A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms holds many fond memories for me. I first encountered it when I sang it as an early “20-something” with the Bethel College Choir under the direction of my college choir mentor, Robert Berglund. That was a transformational and deeply spiritual experience, especially since he had studied and sung it under the great Robert Shaw, this Requiem being one of Shaw’s “signature” pieces. I recently had the privilege of conducting the fourth movement (How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place, O Lord of Hosts) at a recent memorial service for that mentor. While I was at Bethel, we were deep into polishing it around the time of the sudden death of my beloved grandmother, Viola. She was my mom Lollie’s mother, and the three of us were very close. In the Requiem, and especially the fifth movement (You Now Have Sorry, But You Will See Me Again), I found a source of tremendous catharsis along with tremendous comfort and hope from that grief. Only six years later, upon the unexpected death of my mother, like Brahms himself, I found that soul solace in Brahms Requiem once again. I still do.

In the ensuing years – now over forty years since, I have had the privilege of singing and studying it multiple times under esteemed German conductor and Bach scholar Helmuth Rilling, whose interpretations were peerless. Bach’s influence on Brahms was indelible, and Rilling shares a part of that legacy. Not surprising, for even Brahms himself said: “Study Bach, there you will find everything.” Brahms’ respect for and deep understanding of theological composition learned from Bach is clearly evident in every measure of his A German Requiem.

As a professor, what a joy it was to teach it to my students and have the privilege of conducting it myself with the combined choirs of Northwestern/Bethel and both orchestras in a partnership with my lifelong friend Dennis Port. Further explorations of this towering work with Two Rivers Chorale on the Iron Range were with the Mesabi Orchestra and also in Brahms’ so-called “London Version” for two pianos (or piano 4-hands). I have a fond memory of preparing it for our 2017 performance with the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra under Marlene Pauley. That project still resonates in my memory, and we are relishing returning to this piece once again with the WSO, and its new conductor Hannah Schendel. Reengaging with the original German language has been a welcome treat as well, with all the layered richness of Martin Luther’s 16th century translation of Scripture.

Joshua Bauder is an ascending young Twin Cities composer on the faculty of University of Northwestern – St. Paul, and he was a natural choice for a commission of a piece to celebrate my 20th anniversary season with TRC, and also my 30th year as artistic director of Christmas at Northwestern, whose theme this year was “Arise, Your Light is Come.” A graduate of St. Thomas University (BA) and the University of Minnesota (MA, PhD), Josh lovingly crafted a beautiful and moving piece, exactly what both occasions called for. I was delighted and honored by his excellent work. It is a privilege to present this piece once again in the context of our collaborative concert with the WSO and the Edina Chorale, and to infuse more light and hope into this deeply moving concert of consolation “for the living.”

Timothy Sawyer, Artistic Director – Two Rivers Chorale
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities – University of Northwestern-St. Paul