Richard Wayne Dirksen

Father, in thy gracious keeping

Ineffably sweet.  It ends in A major, a half-step down from where it begins.  The orchestral double-reed / horn / string accompaniment is deluxe and has a gorgeous violin descant for the fourth verse.

This editor prefers the hymn’s incipit for a title.

Genre: Sacred Choral
D No: 135
Text - Author or Scripture: John Ellerton (1826–1893)
Performing Forces: SA (TB) org
Date Published: OUP 93
Date of Composition: 1975
Notes: The tune of a 15th cent. traditional French Carol is the basis for this anthem written for the memorial service of former cathedral treasurer and dear friend, Benjamin Warder Thoron. A 1991 orchestration for ob., English horn, 2 horns in F, and strings, 6 violins, (no violas) 2 cellos and bass, was played in a choir concert directed by Douglas Major.
Score:

135 Father in thy gracious keeping

This organ / choir performance is from the February 2, 1995, memorial service for Joan Shaw Dirksen.

Douglas Major requested this orchestral version for oboe, English Horn, 2 horns, and strings (no violas).


Categorized as: 100 Sacred Choral Published Works
Tagged as: anthem, mens voices, organ, trebles, womens voices