Saul regains his sight and is converted (Paulus), Op. 78, No. 3

January 18th - January 25th is designated as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It ends, not by accident, on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata "Der hellige Land", and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

"Paulus" was published by Hansen in 1903. It is a supremely dramatic and emotional work, and quite technically demanding.

The third movement, "Saul regains his sight and is converted " is based upon the passage from Acts, as found in the First Comment.

The opening theme is heart-wrenching. We hear Saul offering a prayer. Something that sounds like an ancient "Sh'ma." He repeats the prayer twice, the second time with more fervor, which I've portrayed in the way I played it.

Then, the blessing from Ananias is received, and Saul regains his sight, and is immediately baptized, and took the road again, immediately preaching in the synagogues that Christ was the Son of God.

The music transforms into the chorale, "How brightly shines the Morning-Star," which begins quietly, but brightly, gaining weight and power until the thunderous conclusion.

The score is attached below, as well as art depicting the conversion, and several new photos of Malling.

The scriptural reference is given in the First Comment.