LP II--St. Paul's Cathedral

We approachd the Cathedral and were stunned to find Occupy London. Tents, signs, pamplets, and unwashed people all around the magnificent old structure. Pushing a socialistic agenda against the banking industry, there were also several Vegan signs, peace recommendations, and a bookstore in a tent that unfortunately did not smell pleasant. But nevertheless we headed up the stone steps into what is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. Constructed under the authority and design of Christopher Wren and completed in 1710, it contains wonderful arches, domes, buttresses, austere gables, sculptures, and interwoven tapestry. A breathtaking experience in all respects, I felt in awe upon my first step into the Cathedral. http://www.stpauls.co.uk/

Sitting in the front row, I remained silent as the service began, prayerfully and humbly bowing to the Lordship of God Almighty. Not unlike experiences I have had in the outdoors, the Cathedral seems beyond human scope and divinely inspired, serving as a reminder of the vastness of God and the smallness of man. Yet I was not there to reflect on myself but rather was there to give honor to God in all His majesty. The high church Anglican service included corporate prayers, responses to the President, hearing of the word, listening to the anthem, and singing as a congregation. We then participated in communion and shared in encouraging peace to each other.

The choir was all male with boys singing the soprano and alto parts. We heard Victoria and Tallis and several chants in the Ionian and Dorian modes. The incredible organist played on a 5 manual pipe organ whose warmth and beauty resonated throughout the church. Lacking in punctuation but full in tone and sustaining power, the organ was quite different from organs in the United States. This is likely due to the architectural design of the location rather than the instrument itself. Makes me suspect that the organ might once again reign supreme were it given a cathedral in which to reside. Immediately after the service, I approached the organist to ask about one selection he had played. It contained a soft but relentless chromatic passage in the upper register on flute stops, and invoked a cantus firmus that somehow moved into the pedals. It all wound together with a slight and subtle crescendo, ending on a major chord. He said he had improvised it. I mentioned Messiaen influence and he smiled and said it was based on a Messiaen mode of limited transposition and style.

I loved the service and felt blessed to experience it in all respects. Maybe I am too eclectic as a musician and as a Christian, but I must say that my feeling was that of an awesome powerful yet personal God who attends to the world and to me. Whereas when I worship in a praise setting in the United States, my experience is perhaps smaller but no less significant. We worship the same God in a multitude of ways without one way being superior to another. To place drums and guitars in a high church Anglican service in a stunning Cathedral comes close to being desecration. Yet to intone on the Dorian mode and to listen primarily to an acapella choir in a fully carpeted modern room without reverberation and without vibrancy is rather dull and lifeless.

The rest of the day was spent walking the streets of London and soaking in the culture of energy, of heritage, and of progression. It was truly a wonderful day and today will be even better!