In the week of Mothering Sunday, I am reminded that Volume 15 number 86 (December 1951) of Ohio’s Lorenz Music Publishing’s The Organ Portfolio, contains a short piece for organ entitled Adoration. It is by Florence Price, and has become popular, often in rearranged form – the solo violin version seems particularly prominent.

Price was influenced by African-American church music, among other things, and the publication is aimed at church organists, so although it is possible to think of other objects of adoration it is reasonable to consider contemplation of the Divine as the relevant form adoration in understanding the piece.

Marked Andante the work is a relatively simple ABA form, with the A section in D Major and the B section in G Major. Both sections have elements of chromaticism, without ever sounding jarring, in keeping with both the composer’s American setting and the needs of a religious atmosphere in church music.

The inherent tenderness of the atmosphere created by the music is comforting, and part of the reason I though of this piece this week, but since we are in Lent, and considering theological rather than human forms of relation, what does adoration mean in a theological context?

In its Latin etymological root adoration is closely linked to worship; the catechism of the Catholic Church comments it as the first act of the virtue of religion. It concerns both an acknowledgement of God as creator and saviour, an act of homage, and a ‘respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God.’ Silence, for our purposes, will not quite work, since we are considering a piece of music, but it is music that might be conducive to stillness, which may perhaps do.

For Catholics in particular, the term adoration is associated with forms of eucharistic veneration – which more protestant forms of Christianity tend to view with some suspicion. Nevertheless, any Christian must adore the triune God: and in adoration must contemplate the Divine. Without contemplation, we cannot respond to a recognition of God, neither in more active forms of worship nor in evangelism, preaching, teaching, or tending to the people of God. Why not, then, take some time to reflect with this beautiful piece, contemplating and adoring the God we believe adores His creation in return.