The Gift of Love (Paulus), Op. 78, No. 6

Today, January 25th, is the feast of the Conversion and of St. Paul the Apostle, and the conclusion of "Paulus."

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 sixth and final movement, "The GIft of Love" is based upon the passage from 1 Corinthians, as found in the First Comment.

The mood is one of triumph and grandeur, but not the winnings of a warrior. Rather, the battle one has been the transformation of Paul from evil to good, and this great processional is actually quite "calm" despite the massiveness of the whole.

It is so grand that it reminded me of Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg."

We have witnessed Paul's transformation for violent and vengeful to "a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel."

But Paul's life would be hard as "I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

In the end, it's all about Love, and that's a good place to end up. I wish you peace!

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Otto Malling, & 2 paintings of the road that waits ahead for Paul.