Product Description
Joachim Leander's "Praise to
the LORD, the Almighty," as translated by Catherine Winkworth, has
consistently been one of the most published hymns in the English language since
the mid-20th Century. Its anonymously composed tune, LOBE DEN HERREN, almost
exclusively paired with this text since the 17th Century, is also much loved.
Even J.S. Bach found it suitable to feature in his 137th cantata.
The title of this arrangement,
Ponder Anew, as taken from the commonly used third stanza of the hymn,
"Ponder anew what the Almighty can do," invites one to consider
afresh the attributes and works of Almighty God as one listens to this completely
new setting of the tune. This arrangement for orchestra features three
variations of the complete hymn tune utilizing metrical and harmonic changes to
maintain focus on the tune and its text. These are bracketed via repetitions of
the first five tune pitches in harmonic planing over a crescendoed pedal tone
producing steadily increasing tension with unexpected resolutions of the
beginning and concluding phrases.
The music in not particularly
difficult and should be readily playable by high school or higher level
musicians. Yet, both musicians and audience will find the work interesting and
enjoyable with music that reflects the majesty and mystery of its subject.
Robert Myers
S.D.G.
INSTRUMENTATION
Picc, Fl1, 2
Oboe 1, 2
Bb Cl 1, 2 + Bass Cl
Bsn 1
Hn 1, 2
Tpt 1, 2, 3
Tbn 1, 2, 3
Tuba
Timpani
Perc. 1 (glock, crash cym,
sus cym, ride cym, mark tree, claves, tam tam)
Perc. 2 or Drum Set (snare,
bass drum, toms (lo/mid/hi), crash cym, finger cym or triangle, ride cym, sys
cym)
Vln 1, 2
Vla
VC
DB
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