Longest Day

Here in Norway the week ends on a Sunday. In the U.S. the week begins on a Sunday, at least according to the calendar. At end of this week (24) there was celebrations for Petter Dass (1647-1707) who was a clergyman/poet here in Alstahaug community. He wrote many hymns, several are still in the Norwegian hymnal. On Sunday morning there was a festival service at Alstahaug. The Bishop from Bodø attended and preached the sermon. During the afternoon I rehearsed with the Helgelands Choir for the program at 6 pm. For the concert there was a good turnout, about 100 to 125 attending. It was a great success. The director, Chris Eva, lives in Lurøy (north of here about 25 miles). He’s a Brit who has lived here for about 15 years. The program included several pieces by Norwegian composers, a few British pieces (Purcell, Gibbons & Tallis) and a Buxtehude cantata on Jesu, meine Lebens Leben. The program was well performed and was very well received by an appreciative audience.

Today (or tomorrow) is the longest day of the year. Tomorrow the days will begin to get shorter, and hopefully warmer.