Product Description
In 2003 my church asked me to transcribe and orchestrate Steven Curtis Chapman's hauntingly beautiful setting of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" for use in their annual Christmas program. If you are unfamiliar with this setting, or it's been a while since you thought of it, you can hear his rendition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2H6FobyDbI
This PDF contains the tenor solo, the SSA background vocals, a simple rhythm chart in which some of the exposed piano licks are written out, and supplemental parts for a string section and flute, oboe (opt. flute 2), and two clarinetsthe ensemble that I was working with that year. And as always, a C score is provided, which allows a keyboardist to cover for missing instruments, e.g., a live string section.
I am unable to get the Finale file to cooperate in producing a demo, but the arrangement is very close to the SCC recording. Duration: approx. 3:15. The purchase price allows you to duplicate as many copies as needed for your vocalists and instrumentalists.
Here are some program notes:
The origin of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is cloaked in obscurity, with sources listing its beginnings anywhere from the 7th century to the 12th. The text is based on a series of seven antiphons traditionally sung on successive days in Advent vesper services leading up to the Christ Mass, a celebration which later became known as Christmas. Each antiphon greeted the anticipated Savior by one of the many titles given Him in Scripture, such as "Emmanuel," "Rod of Jesse," "Dayspring," "Key of David," etc.
John Mason Neale (1818-1866) was a minister in the Church of England. Caught up in the Oxford Movement, he became
interested in the original languagesspecifically, Greek and Latinthat had cradled the early liturgies of the Church. He became a renowned translator of ancient hymnsamong them, "Good Christian Men, Rejoice," "All Glory, Laud, and Honor," "Of the Fathers Love Begotten," and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." After translating the Latin text "Veni Emmanuel" in 1851, he added the refrain that we know today. Some versions of the text contain portions of a 1916 translation by Henry Sloan Coffin.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.