In Memorium

Unto Your Hands We Commend Thy Spirit

Tony Mazza

Born in San Lucido; Provincia di Cosenza; Calabria, Italy - November 16 (reg. 28), 1924

Gone to God on July 11, 2005

Before my father's passing, he wanted me to thank all of you for your prayers. His last days were holy ones, indeed. We lavished each other with memories, forgiveness, tears, laughter, prayers and good-byes. His own readiness to go to God was a testimony of his faith and love for Christ; his sadness in leaving, a witness of his love for us.

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About the music:

After more than a month of frenetic pace (my son's graduation from high school, fellowship with visiting friends and family, traveling across the country to be by my father's side during his last days, to my niece's wedding in northern Michigan only 5 days later, back to my dad's funeral, up to Interlochen to bring Alex to camp, back home, returning to Interlochen, and then to take our oldest son, Will, to college for the first time) I never quite slowed down enough to respond fully to the extreme emotions felt since last June. It took music to open my heart and slow me down. I've always felt music opens the heart and speaks to the soul without preaching. Here's what happened...

My son, Alex, just purchased his next Suzuki book for cello (Book 5). While I was listening to one of the pieces, Bach's Cantata No. 156, I was moved to tears. I began weeping and found it difficult to stop. When I am moved by music, I wonder what inspired it and the composer's intent. Even more important to the tune's setting is the music's partnering text. Once I read about the words and background of the work, I grew closer to understanding Bach's genius: the descending musical line paints the text references about one's progressing illness leading (literally translated) one foot into the grave. Simultaneously, the solo ascending line, resolution at the end of the work, and major tonality represent one's peace of resurrection in Christ. Bach clearly achieved his communicative goal with this work. When I was moved by the music, I did not know its background.

For more discussion, go to: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV156-D.htm.

Simon Crouch of the Listener's Guide to Cantatas of J.S. Bach summarizes the work, "...acceptance of our fate and happiness in our (holy) destiny."

In this photo, my father is posing in his tuxedo by our fireplace as I was upstairs getting dressed for my wedding 27 years ago. He had just remarried 4 short weeks earlier. He was very happy.