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Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach
A Multimedia Musical Dramatization
by Thurston Moore
The premiere of this acclaimed production was held in Nashville, Tennessee, October, 1995. Actor Hugh O'Brian, who had visited Dr. Schweitzer at his African hospital in 1957, spoke the words of Albert Schweitzer. O'Brian said, "Mine is a personal reason to be speaking the words of Albert Schweitzer. It's a work of love, a work of respect and it's an honor."
Among those attending the premiere were Rhena Schweitzer MIller, Dr. Schweitzer's daughter, and her late husband, Dr. David C. Miller, and Mr. and Mrs. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi. On the evening before the Sunday performance, Thurston and his late wife, Georgianna, hosted a dinner for their special guests. It was at this dinner that the magnificent painting of Schweitzer and Bach, by well known portrait artist, Connie Erickson, was unveiled.
Left to Right: Rhena Schweitzer Miller, Hugh O'Brian, Thurston Moore, Georgianna Moore and Arun Ghandi
It was a historic moment that evening when, for the first time, the families of Schweitzer and Gandhi came together. Reverend Bill Starnes wrote, "The twenty of us who gathered for dinner suddenly became quiet. Schweitzer and Gandhi - two of the most renowned men of the twentieth century, who, though they had never met, admired each other profoundly. And now, their descendants had just greeted each other. Antje Bultmann Lemke, Schweitzer scholar and daughter of Dr. Rudolph Bultmann, one of the most influential theologians of this century, was also there."
Since that premiere this creative blending of drama, music and historical images, has had many memorable productions throughout the United States, and several foreign countries.
Two noted Canadian organists played for the Nashville, Tennessee, production when it was presented as part of the 16-day peace event, Symposium 2000 - World Peace through Reverence for Life. That international symposium was produced by Tennessee Players and sponsored by Vanderbilt University.
E. Gordon Gee, Chancellor of Vanderbilt University, wrote, "Vanderbilt University is honored to sponsor the International Albert Schweitzer Conference and Symposium 2000. Schweitzer's philosophy of reverence for life.... requires of us responsibility for our actions in the world.
"Schweitzer's teachings are universal... especially relevant in a university setting, where it is imperative that we combine scholarly achievement with selfless service, and with a philosophy of respect and support for life."
Wherever Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach is presented it receives rave reviews. Mary Beth Hinton, writing about the production at Syracuse University, wrote, "Never have I heard so much praise for a program."
"it was a thrill to be in New York City to witness and enjoy the Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach in a spectacular setting at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Captivatng. Creative. Contemporary, at a time in world events when Schweitzer's words and Bach's music are more precious and inspiring than ever before." Ian Stevenson, Albert Schweitzer Fellowship.
Rev. Dr. Martha Kriebel, Pastor, Trinity Reformed Church, Collegeville, PA, wrote: "The words of Schweitzer carried the Gospel into today's world where his message is needed now more than ever. The response from the congregation is one of gratitude. For me, it was a time to celebrate my meeting the two (Schweitzer and Bach) in college days and being an admirer ever since. Thanks be to God for your ministry that equips us for ours!"
Gail Archer, concert organist and director of the music program at Bernard College, Columbia University has played for Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach three times. She said, "It was a genuine spiritual experience for me to play the great works of Bach in the context of the life and work of Albert Schweitzer.
Bent Munk Olsen, Denmark, wrote, "It was a tremendous success in the historic Roskilde Cathedral (on the list of UNESCO's world's most precious assets)... the organist was sublime... almost everybody mentioned that the text was one of the most essential that they have heard in a long time." Six months after the first performance, the production was repeated in the cathedral with even greater success.
Roy Campbell, organist, Shaughnessy Heights United Church, Vancouver, Canada, wrote, " It certainly has been one of the most memorable and magnificent events in the church calendar."
Thomas E. Corts, President of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, wrote to Thurston Moore: "It must have been divine inspiration that pointed to the concept of integrating Bach's music with Schweitzer's words. I know of nothing that compares with it for uniting great music with great truth. Keeping alive the works of both men is a gift of great good to our troubled world."
This 90-minute production with 276 Power Point images shown from beginning to the end, and with live organ music, is being presented in churches, colleges and universities. Many churches have presented Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach as part of their Arts Series. Jeff R. McLelland, Director of Music and Fine Arts, Independent Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, said, "....as the opening night of our 31st Annual Religious Arts Festival, it was the most effective production in the history of the festival."
Chapters of the important American Guild of Organists have taken the production to heart. Richard E. Emmons, Dean, North Valley Chapter, Chico, California, wrote, "...a local organist stated that it was a masterful compilation of philosophy and music. A month later we are still hearing echoes of what an outstanding program it was."
Dawn Papenfuss, Dean of the Red River Chapter, Fargo, North Dakota, wrote, "You did a great job expressing Schweitzer's deepest and best thoughts. The portion where Schweitzer's words are read over the organ music is incredibly powerful. I can't overstate that particular portion. WOW!"
Mary Lee Mistretta, Dean, Los Angeles Chapter, said of their production in March, 2001, "This dramatization offers an AGO an opportunity to present an important and unusual program -- offering the great organ music of Bach but much more." Present at that performance at the beautiful All Saints Church in Pasadena, were the playwright and his wife, and Dr. Schweitzer's daughter and granddaughter. Dr. Schweitzer's daughter, Rhena, has seen the production six times and says, "I think it is the most successful means today to make my father's name and work known."
Thurston Moore became deeply influenced by Dr. Schweitzer in 1957 when he saw the Academy Award-winning documentary film, Albert Schweitzer. Since then Moore's interest has grown, culminating in the creation of Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach.
Albert Schweitzer was a rare and gifted individual with immense creativity. He was one of the most remarkable men of the twentieth century. Moore's life is guided by Schweitzer's philosophy of Reverence for Life, and one of his proudest accomplishments was his association in 1984 with Norman Cousins for the book, The Words of Albert Schweitzer. Moore believes that each one of us must do whatever he or she can do to help keep the "spirit" of this great philosopher and humanitarian alive. Moore says, "It is more evident each day that Schweitzer's words are as relevant now as when they were first written."
Schweitzer wrote: "The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war and politics... we must rediscover the fact that we -- all together -- are human beings, and that we must strive to concede to each other what moral capacity we have."
Producing the dramatization, Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach, helps Thurston Moore in his quest to keep the legacy of Schweitzer alive. The production brings cultural and spiritual enrichment to all who see it. The production is also helping preserve the glorious music of Bach. Schweitzer said, "Wherever Bach's music is played it has an impact on people. It influences them spiritually. Bach is a precious gift of our time."
People attending Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach are visibly moved the moment the house lights dim, the overture begins -- Stokowski's dynamic recording of the Toccata in d minor -- and they see Connie Erickson's portrait of Schweitzer and Bach. And when the actor speaks Schweitzer's first words: "While working on my book, The Philosophy of Civilization, I recognized the fact that the central province of philosophy...there flashed upon my mind, unforseen and unsought, the phrase, reverence for life," the audience realizes that they will experience a memorable evening.
The production is also available with music on a CD for the entire production and also for an abridged 45-minute version.
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