This article was written for the April 2026 issue of our parish magazine:
I have never seen the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan”. Wikipedia tells me that it’s a war epic, set in Normandy in 1944 and follows a group of solders on a mission to locate Private Ryan, whose three brothers have already perished in action.
So why have I chosen to write about it for the Easter issue of our parish magazine? Well, a couple of years ago the Manchester Chorale performed it in a concert. I can’t remember when or where the concert was, but I clearly recall being very moved by the music. We sang it again in a joint concert with Trafford Music Service Youth Choir at St Anne’s Church (Sale) in March 2026. I was just as moved by the emotion of the piece. Why? There are no lyrics. The choir simply vocalises on “Ooo”. Although we were accompanied by piano and not a full orchestra, we still had the steady ostinato of military drums. Skilfully led by our Music Director, the music begins gently, ebbing and flowing for around four minutes. Then there is a brief silence before the choir sings with a bright “Ahh” through to the climax of the piece. Singing this in Lent, in church where all was purple, I couldn’t help but imagine the journey made by Our Lord during Holy Week: his betrayal, torture, trial, conviction, his long and painful walk through Jerusalem carrying his cross, and finally his execution. Finally? No! there is the triumph of the resurrection.
If we choose to hear it, “Hymn to the Fallen” tells us how Jesus fell, was buried, and rose again. You can listen to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvpQMTY8H9Y
Carol P
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 