The Second Church in Newton

Color and music unite in this window to bring a message of beauty and a sense of spiritual exaltation. The art of color as exemplified in stained glass are closely related. Color is produced by varying vibrations of light, while music is the result of sound vibrations. We speak of balance, rhythm, harmony, tone and color in describing a stained glass window and these terms are equally applicable to musical compositions.

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The theme of music is shown by the central figure of Kind David, the sweet singer of Israel. David is crowned and holds a harp on which he is playing. Below is Saint Cecilia, traditional patron saint of music, who is seated and playing a primitive organ. Cecilia is popularly credited with inventing the organ; however, this is incorrect since the principle of the organ was well known before her time.

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The central right lancet shows Felix Mendelssohn composing the oratorio "Elijah." The opening notes and words "Hear Ye Israel" form a part of the composition. The symbol above shows Elijah being carried to Heaven in a chariot of fire.

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Below the Mendelssohn medallion, Giovanni Palestrina, Father of the Mass, is shown with a choir of angels singing the hymn "The Strife is O'er, the Battle Won." The window illustrates the musical staff notation of Palestrina's time.

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The central left lancet shows George Friedrich Handel conducting his oratorio, "The Messiah." The first few notes and words of the "Hallelujah Chorus" are shown. The symbol above refers to Isaiah's prophecy of the coming of the Christ Child; "For unto us a child is born."

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Below the Handel medallion, the image of Johann Sebastian Bach suggests Bach's version Christ appearing to a traveler. The first few notes and words from the chorus "Come ye Daughters" are shown.