A Thanksgiving for Light

D No: 365

Performing Forces: SATB orch

Date Published: CE 91

Date of Composition: 1972

Notes: A service on August 27, 1972, with most music arranged or composed for the summer boy's choir trained by Robert Tate. The singers and instrumentalists were conducted by the composer. There are many passages of scripture from which to select the two lessons for this festival service. The deepening awareness of all the things of creation in our world makes this service, built around the theme of God's Creation of Light and its awesome beauty around us, of contemporary importance. The instruments for which this music is scored are 2 flutes, (one dbl. picc.) horn, bassoon, handbells (2 ringers), 1 percussion (a trap set of bass drum (ped.), snare drum, tenor drum, 2 or 3 cymbals, triangle, and glockenspiel), a keyboard player for pipe organ, and one for electronic organ and piano. One or more guitars can readily play on the hymns that are chorded. Full scores and instrumental parts are available for the Kyrie eleison (sung in Greek), and the Sanctus, and for the hymns, "O Splendor of God's Glory Bright," and "Ever Faithful, Ever Sure." Following the Opening fanfares, Charles Wesley's "Christ, whose glory fills the skies," to the tune RATISBON, (No. 7 in The Hymnal 1982), is suggested for the opening (entry) hymn. A lively mixed choir (SATB), and children's voices (prominent in the Kyrie eleison) are needed. The children, however, and sing well and will enjoy all of this music. A cantor (tenor or soprano) has beautiful lines to sing in the Introit, the Gradual, and the Sanctus. Texts: Introit, st. 1 of "Christ, whose glory fills the skies," by Charles Wesley (1707–1788); Gradual, St. 1 of "Awake, my soul, and with the sun," by Thomas Ken (1637–1711); "O splendor of God's glory bright," by St. Ambrose (340–397), Tr. Robert Bridges (1844–1930); "Ever faithful, ever sure" is the refrain from the great paraphrase of Psalm 136: "Let us with a gladsome mind" by John Milton (1608–1674). These fine hymns may be found in many hymnals.

Dirksen’s Bernstein phase.