The Kretzmann cantatas

Did you know that Paul Kretzmann (author of the venerable Popular Commentaries) also wrote cantata libretti?  You probably didn't.  That's because from my library catalogue-digging, only two locations have scores available to borrow.  However, one of them happens to be where I go to school.  Guess what I did this afternoon.

I checked both of them out!  Kretzmann actually founded the church where my dad was a pastor, and I was baptized and a member there until I was four years old, so seeing these is like a letter from an ages-past friend.  

Both of them are in delicate shape, rebound, and taped.  I tried to play through them on a practice-room piano, but had to gently place my cell phone over the bindings the whole time to keep them from closing or tipping.  

Stylistically, I don't want to label them "schmaltzy," but the Romantic harmonies of the piano accompaniment, rich with secondary V7s and diminished viis, almost render it over to the concert nature rather than a special festival service.  The melody lines are rather complicated and at times chromatic.  Nonetheless, the words are great and biblical, just like his hymn translating and hymnwriting.  

Examples of text (all copyright by Concordia Publishing House):

Our King Victorious,Part III, 9. Chorus with Children's Chorus

Let us with joyful tone the Savior's praises sing,

Messiah on His heavenly throne devoutly worshipping

Who deigned in flesh to shade His glorious deity,

Himself of no repute made us lost ones to set free, 

Exult we on that day 

When Jesus rose on high

And opened wide the living way

Deliverance is nigh

Let stars and earth and heav'n rejoice

And all angelic choirs on high 

Upraise their glorifying voice 

To praise the Trinity.

Amen!  Hallelujah!

Unto Us, 24. Soprano

Bright was the guiding star that led with mild benignant say,

The Gentiles to the lowly shed where the Redeemer lay,

They brought Him gold, as King that reigns forever, 

They offered incense, as to a mighty God, 

And myrrh withal, since death their Lord would sever,

From those He loved, and on whose foes He trod.  

In addition, he also at least wrote the words for Der 46th Psalm (1921), Cantate! A Song Service (1924), Liturgical Service for Rally Day (1927), He Lives!  A Childrens' Vesper Service for Easter Day (1929), In Dulci Jubilo and Soli Deo Gloria (no dates) (see http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/inauthors/view?).  

Here also is an interesting link to his hymn texts that have made it into lesser-known hymnals:  http://www.hymnary.org/person/Kretzmann_PE3

Happy digging!