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Glorify the Lord with me!
John Obetz, Organ
The Schola Cantorum of Conception Abbey
Rev. Timothy Schoen, O.S.B., director
Recorded at a live performance at Conception Abbey, February 17, 2000 by Russell Wojtkiewicz

Playlist

1. Gregorian chant: Veni, creator Spiritus [00:33]    Hear the complete track.

Veni creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia, 
quae tu creasti, pectora.

Creator-Spirit, all divine, 
come, visit every soul of Thine,
and fill with Thy celestial flame
the hearts which Thou Thyself didst frame.

2. Larry King (1932-1990)
Fanfares to the Tongues of Fire [06:26]
The work is a modern treatment of the ancient hymn Veni, creator Spiritus (Creator-Spirit, All Divine). That this text and tune from medieval times has remained in use all these subsequent centuries is a testament to its artistic strength and enduring relevance.

3. Gregorian chant: Verbum supernum prodiens/Iam lucis orto sidere [00:29]

Iam lucis orto sidere
Deum precemur supplices,
ut in diurnis actibus
nos servet a nocentibus.

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
we lift our hearts to God on high,
that he, in all we do or say,
would keep us free from harm this day.

4. Gerald Kemner (b. 1932)
Verbum Supernum Prodiens (1998) [07:52]
In honor of John Obetz’s 31 years as Principal Organist at the RLDS Auditorium and Temple, Gerald Kemner composed this set of variations on the 13th century French chant melody Verbum supernum prodiens (The Word of God Proceeding Forth) associated in The Hymnal 1982 with the medieval morning hymn, Iam lucis orto sidere (Now that the daylight fills the sky).

5. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude and Fugue in E flat (BWV 552) [15:36]
This is Bach’s last prelude and fugue, and even though he was to continue revising earlier works and writing in different idioms throughout his remaining 16 years, this work reveals to us the soul of a great artist, the discipline of a brilliant craftsman, and the inspiration of a mature genius.
Excerpt from the beginning of the Prelude.                        Excerpt from the Fugue's conclusion.

6. Gregorian chant: Haec dies [01:40]
Psalm 118/117:24
Haec dies, quam fecit Dominus: exsultemus, et laetemur in ea.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

7-10. Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
Symphonie Romane Op. 73
I. Moderato [06:37 ]         Excerpt from the middle of this movement.
II. Choral [09:00]
III. Cantilène [04:32]
IV. Final [09:13]
As Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E flat represents his final statement in this form, so, too, is this Widor’s final organ symphony.  Composed in 1899, the Romane is dedicated to a church and its saint, Saint Sernin, of Toulouse. The work is based on the chant for Easter Day, Haec Dies (This is the day . . .).

11. Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Postlude pour l’Office de Complies (1930) [04:38] 
The Postlude pour l’Office de Complies was composed in 1930 while Alain was visiting Valloires Abbey in the Somme region of France. The Gregorian chants of the office of Compline weave freely in and out of a dreamy lacework of lullaby-like chords. 

John Obetz and The Auditorium Organ were heard weekly all across the country for more than 25 years. This popular radio broadcast, originating at the world headquarters of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Independence, Missouri, was heard by an audience of thousands each week, and made him one of the most widely heard organists in America.
     As a concert organist he has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, with appearances in such places as Westminster Abbey and the Kennedy Center. Additionally he has been a featured soloist with numerous symphony orchestras and for many conventions of the American Guild of Organists. 

     A champion of contemporary music, he has premiered works by Ned Rorem, Morton Feldman, and Gerald Kemner at major festivals in the United States. He has recorded extensively throughout his career, the current CD recordings being available on the RBW label.
     Dr. Obetz received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University, and earned a doctorate in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he studied with the late Vernon deTar. His further study has included work with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris, and participation in the International Academy for Organists in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
     Dr, Obetz was re-elected recently to the national council of the American Guild of Organists, serving as Treasurer and Councillor for Finance and Development. Sigma Alpha Iota national music fraternity honored him recently as National Arts Associate for “being among the most outstanding gentleman musicians in the United States.” In April of 1998 he was named Organist Emeritus by the RLDS church.
     Dr. Obetz has distinguished himself as a teacher and serves on the faculty of the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri at Kansas City.