CHORAL REVIEWS Jim Cole
All My Hope on God Is Founded. Joachim Neander, 1650-1680, para. Robert Bridges, 1844-1930, alt., NEANDER NEW, Nick Klemetson. 2-part mixed, piano. Augsburg 978-1- 5064-7969-9, $1.95.
Here is a hymn of trust in God renewed and a prayer to be called
by God. With a new tune by Nick Klemetson, it contrasts the earthly temples we erect, which fall to dust, against the everlasting power, wisdom, and splendor that should be our temple. Tis is a 2-part arrangement, a type that more and more of us are needing. Mostly in a moderate and calm 3/4, the piece passes through several keys and ends with a descant against the melody in part 2. (3:40)
Live unto God. Romans 14:8-9, adapt. ZMH, Zebulon M. Highben. SATB a cappella (optional accompaniment). Augsburg 978-1-5064- 7984-2, $1.75.
A short, 4-part piece, Live unto God takes the phrase, “Living, live unto God” and paints it with a
rising line begun by the basses and then taken over by each succeeding voice part. It states that in both life and death we belong to God. Tis is why Christ died and rose, to be Lord of the dead and living. It concludes with a multi-layered “Amen.” Appropriate for a time of remembrance or during the Easter season. (1:45)
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Each Road. Jeannette M. Lindholm, David C. Pike. SATB, organ. Augsburg 978-1-5064-7981-1, $1.95.
Te text of Each Road is truly poetic: “Each road to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, or Calvary, each journey to Emmaus and to Bethany. Each pilgrimage, each exile and uncertainty, each
march to end hate’s legacy. Stranger, friend, or refugee. Love’s presence, Love’s epiphany.” Te roads of Christ’s journeys. His destinations. Our journeys to do Christ’s work. Others’ journeys made in need. Will they find love from us? A pulsating pedalpoint through most of the organ accompaniment keeps these journeys moving against steady chords in the manuals. Te choral writing alternates between consonance and both harmonic and intervallic dissonance. Divisi in all parts in the final seven measures. (2:50)
Call and Answer. Angier Brock, Brenda Portman, quoting SIMPLE GIFTS, American folk tune. SATB, organ, children’s choir, optional handbells. Augsburg 978-1-5064-7975-0, $2.60.
Tere’s a lot going on here. Te bell-like organ introduction gives way to the optional handbell part
(six bells) as the children’s and adult choirs join the organ accompaniment. In a stately opening refrain, we sing of answering Christ’s call to follow him. Te first verse speaks of biblical figures of the Old Testament, such as Abraham and Sarah, and Miriam and Moses,
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