All For Hymn - a blog featuring everybody's favorite topic - HYMNS! Discussions about hymns, their use in the Divine Service, translation issues, etc. will be the focus. Lutheran Service Book will be a primary source. Other traditions may pop up from time to time.
The chant Veni Creator Spiritus, or "Come, Creator Spirit" is often sung on the Day of Pentecost, which marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church, as Jesus had promised.
Another classic chant is Veni Sancte Spiritu, or "Come, Holy Spirit."
You can hear both of them back-to-back below, in simple Gregorian chant.
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Here is Maurice Duruflé's "Prelude, Adagio & Choral Varié" on Veni Creator Spiritus.
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This Gregorian tune also inspired the German chorale, Komm, Gott Schöpfer. Here is a wonderfully simple arrangement for a small brass ensemble.
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Here is an orchestral arrangement with the Berliner Philharmoniker.
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Here is Bach's organ arrangement played on a beautiful Austrian instrument.
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Veni Sancte Spiritus is the "Sequence" for Pentecost. It is a special liturgical text to highlight the festival day. It is usually sung before the Alleluias, which in turn precede the Gospel Reading. While the plainsong chant is simple, it seems Mozart had grander plans for the text.
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With all that pomp, my favorite setting comes from the Taize Community. I have used this setting with as few as three parts and a solo. The verse here is sung in English, and is a good translation of the text. As Pentecost marks the nations hearing the disciples in their own languages, you will find other languages intertwined in this setting.
All for Hymn commenter Steve left this note about singing Alleluias during "A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing." I find it appropriate as we close out the Easter Season to meditate on this wonderful word, which was put away for Lent and brought back out in all its glory for Easter.
Find me a person who doesn't love the "Alleluia." They're pretty irresitable...
I often wonder how many people REALLY understand what they are singing when they sing or respond with an "Alleluia." They obviusly know they've sung it countless times and feel the joy and satisfying peace it creates in their soul somehow. Perhaps for some it's just a peace due to it's familiarity to them. As humans, we all naturally tend to migrate to those familiar things or surroundings to find peace, rest and comfort.
But do they realize the word "Alleluia" is Hebrew for "praise the Lord" (though in its Greek spelling). It is a word of joy and gladness. So, when we sing or speak that "Alleluia" we are really saying - "praise the Lord!".
So how much more powerful could our "Alleluia's" be in knowing that? Even greater! As Christian's those "Alleluia's" come from deep within. They come from that place where God himself has written HIS name our hearts marking us as his own.
Now those "Alleluia's" become even more familiar to us. Not just in history and repition, but in knowing we are a child of God. Chosen and saved by his redeeming grace. In knowing and believing that, is when we find our TRUE sense of peace. What more could we ask for? There is nothing more. As a Christian, we have everything we need. What overwhelming peace, joy and comfort that is.
** ALLELUIA! **
Here are some musical settings that contain this special word. Some classic, some modern, some traditional, some contemporary.
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Alleluia
Randall Thompson
Performed by
Trinity College Konzertchor
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Alleluia
Antonio Vivaldi
Sung by countertenor Andreas Scholl
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Sing Alleluia, Allelu
Asian Children's Choir
African/Gospel Style
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Alleluia
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung by 6th, 7th and 8th Graders
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Celtic Alleluia
This is used
before the Gospel Reading
during the Mass
The Alleluias remain constant,
but the verse changes
with each given Sunday.
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Agnus Dei
Michael W. Smith
In spite of the title,
which means, "Lamb of God,"
there are a ton of alleluias in this song!
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Les Archanges
"Souffle de Vie" Chanson #7 Alleluia
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African Alleluia
arranged by Jay Althouse
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Chorus: Hallelujah
George Fredrick Handel
performed by the Bethany College Choir
Bethany, Virginia
Virtual Choirs can be pretty awesome. Check out this recording by composer and conductor Eric Whitacre.
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Lux calida gravisque
pura velut aurum canunt
et canunt angeli
canunt molliter natum
modo natum.
A virtual choir is now forming. Details are sketchy but Dan from Lutheran Time Out and Matthew from Radical Grace Radio are involved, along with yours truly.
We will start with just recorded voices, so a simple headset and free software on your home computer will do. Video may come later in the project.
The Ascension is often a forgotten festival. 40 days after our Lord's resurrection, he ascends into heaven. The church celebrates this in real time, which makes to day the 40th day after Easter Sunday.
My favorite hymns for this day are "A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing" and "Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels." I was unable to locate video for the latter, but the tune for the former has many settings available. While most settings are joyous and exuberant, there are a couple of surprisingly meditative setting towards the latter half of this hymn.
The text from Lutheran Service Book is under copyright, so here is the public domain text as found on the original Cyber Hymnal.
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A setting by Paul Manz
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A hymn of glory let us sing
New songs throughout the world shall ring
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Christ, by a road before untrod
Ascendeth to the throne of God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
A setting of the tune for brass and organ
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The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand
Alleluia, Alleluia.
And with His followers they see
Jesus’ resplendent majesty
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
The organ at the Chapel of our Lord
Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois
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To Whom the angels drawing nigh,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
“This is the Savior,” thus they say.
“This is His noble triumph day.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Setting for Ocarina
based on Ralph Vaughn Williams
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“Again ye shall behold Him so,
As ye have today seen Him go.”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
“In glorious pomp ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Classic hymn setting
with a little improv here and there.
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O grant us thitherward to tend
And with unwearied hearts ascend,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Unto Thy kingdom’s throne, where Thou
As is our faith, art seated now,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Organ Improvisation/Meditation
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Be Thou our Joy and strong Defense,
Who art our future Recompense,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
So shall the light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Setting for Bagpipe and Drum
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O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to Thee let earth accord,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Who art, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit One,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Setting by Dan Miller
This one uses interesting rhythms
Legendary songstress Lena Horne passed away on Sunday. Lena broke through the color barrier early in her career and later participated in the civil rights movement of the 60's.
Here's the AP news release (please pardon the commercial that precedes it) and perhaps her most famous song. Following those, a few things just for fun. I vote for Moon River as tops in this group!
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AP News Release
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"Stormy Weather"
Full version from 1943
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"It's Not Easy Being Green"
Lena Horne and Kermit the Frog
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"I Got Rhythm"
Lena Horne (source unknown)
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"I Feel So Smoochy"
Original 1940's recording
Re-released in 1958
This one was for my dad.
"Smoochy" sounds like a word in his vocabulary!
Those of you who are in the Chicagoland area can check out the 25th Anniversary Concert of the Glen-Ellyn Wheaton Chorale this Friday or Saturday. Tickets are just $15 in advance, with discounts for students and seniors.
