Bill Frykman, His Viola, Steve Staruch, and “Wachet Auf” by J.S. Bach at Bethelehem Covenant November, 23.
Steve Staruch took up the viola designed and built by Bill Frykman and began playing the Prelude: Minuetto I & II from Solo Cellos Suite no. 1, by J.S. Bach. The musical service of the morning was underwritten by the Bill Frykman Memorial Fund. Steve Staruch, who in addition to being a very fine violist, is an announcer on KSJN, Minnesota Classical Public Radio. Steve has said that Bill’s uniquely constructed viola distinguishes itself in the lower ranges. With thankful hearts toward Bill and the Frykman family the people at Bethlehem enjoyed the rich musical worship service.
This Bach cantata is based upon the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Jo Anne Taylor, Bethlehem’s superb Choir Director, put together the program and arranged for professional musicians like Steve Staruch (who played Bill Frykman’s viola throughout), prepared her fine choir, and taught a Sunday School class on Bach and the parable of the virgins to prepare the congregation for the cantata. The result was beautiful and moving. Sandy Johnson said: “I was very moved and so glad to be a part of it.”
Bach’s music was woven throughout the service. The opening hymn for the day was an unusual arrangement of “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” that incorporated a Bach Partita for solo violin into the orchestral accompaniment. This arrangement, created by Bethlehem’s own Paul Isaacs, drew applause from the worshippers. Two other key players who need be mentioned are Priscilla Thoreen, Bethelehem’s superb organist, and Bruce Taylor, rehearsal accompanist, musicologist, and teacher par excellence.
The concert was a very fitting tribute to Bill and it added to the grand Frykman heritage—our thanks to Lorraine, Laura, Carl, Tom, and the entire Frykman family.