Product Description
ON THE TEXT
During the Good Friday liturgy, there is a time when all those present are invited to approach the altar
and reverence the crucifix with a kiss, touch or genuflection. It can be an emotional part of the liturgy
as the faithful are brought to the foot of the cross and feel the sorrow of Good Friday.
To highlight the mournful atmosphere, the Church provides an optional hymn that can be sung during
the adoration of the Holy Cross. It is traditionally called the "Reproaches" (Improperia in Latin) and
presents Jesus agony on the cross.
The verses, some of which are drawn partly from the words of Old Testament prophets, call to mind
the many events in salvation history when God saved his chosen people and questioned them, asking
why they had turned away from him. It calls to mind the reality that our sins are the cause of Jesus
crucifixion.
This ancient hymn is meant to provide a fitting meditation while each individual walks up the aisle of
the church to kiss the wounds of Christ on the cross. It points the soul inward and encourages us to
reflect on our own failings. In the end, it reminds us how every sin we commit hurts our beloved Lord
and furthers his pain on the cross. It is a call to conversion, begging us to turn away from our sinful
habits to embrace the good that God wants to accomplish in our lives.
In the Byzantine liturgy, and sometimes in the West, the Reproaches are interspersed with the
Trisagion, the great prayer of supplication to God:
Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
REHEARSAL and PERFORMANCE NOTES
This somber and contemplative setting of the Reproaches is specifically designed to be simple and
approachable for choirs of any ability. There are three key sections to the setting: the first antiphon (O
my people), the second antiphon (Holy is God!), and the psalm tone. The chant should be approached
in an Anglican Chant style, with the words being sung in a natural speech rhythm. Dynamics, on the
whole, should be mostly mezzo-piano to mezzo-forte. The exception to this is the second antiphon and
the last SATB psalm tone which should be powerful and compelling. Organ registration should be set
up purely to complement the choir and add to the texture.
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.