Partita on “Awake, My Heart with Gladness” by Flor Peeters
A commentary on this week’s music by Dr. James T. Gerber, Music Associate
Text:
Awake, my heart, with gladness,
See what today is done,
Now after gloom and sadness
Comes forth the glorious Sun!
My Savior there was laid
Where our bed must be made
When to the realms of light
Our spirit wings its flight.
This hymn for the Easter season was written by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), an important teacher within the Lutheran tradition. The full text speaks of the joy of the resurrection and triumphal victory of Christ over the forces of death. However, the partita setting of this hymn was composed by the Belgian composer, organist, and teacher, Flor Peeters (1903-1986).