Product Description
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Canzona alla terza "Verbum supernum prodiens" was composed late one night after I was
inspired by the chant melody as found in the Hymnal 1982, hymn 63. Rather than compose on the computer as I
usually do, I wrote by hand as I determined the best four-part canonic
treatment for each of the phrases of the chant. Composing this was akin to
assembling a puzzle, both in mindset ("this note fits best here") and addictive
quality ("need to finish this now!"). Originally conceived as a short organ
piece, I quickly chose to add the English text from the Hymnal 1982 then text directly from the Liber Usualis, a Catholic book of Gregorian chants commonly used
until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II).
This
piece is similar in style to an Italian Renaissance canzona or early German Baroque kanon.
It should be performed with performance practice of those eras in mind,
including lifts after dotted notes, metric accents, and minimal vibrato,
especially at cadences. Lines that end in a melisma should be performed by singing
the final vowel and placing the consonant at the release of the final melisma
note. The first verse may be sung in unison or as a solo as printed below. The
verses may be sung in alternatum (odd verses printed below: solo chant, even
verses: choir). The first four verses form a complete anthem and the last two
verses are suitable as a Communion anthem, or all six may be sung.
The
SSA Latin version was adapted from the original SATB version for the women of
the Hillcrest High School choral program under the direction of Dr. Khristina
Motley in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It reduces the original four-voice setting to
three voices without sacrificing any canonic entrances. This SSA English version
is also suitable for performance by an advanced middle school choral ensemble
or for TTB men.
Also available as an organ solo or in Latin. SATB Latin/English versions coming soon!
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.