The first of the Three Songs of Isaiah, BCP Canticles 9-11. The gentle modal theme lent itself to canonic treatment, but the work unfolds into dramatic eight-part choral fanfares. Dirksen re-worked the tune into two hymns: Surely it is God who saves me (ISAIAH’S SONG) with the Carl Daw text, and Glory be to God, the Highest (GIBBS HALL), his own paraphrase of the Gloria in Excelsis.
D No: 315
Text - Author or Scripture: BCP Canticle 9
Performing Forces: SSAATTBB
Date Published: FL 82
Date of Composition: 1982
Dedication: In thanksgiving for Geoffrey
Notes: Composed for the choir of St. Thomas Church, New York City sing at the opening service of the 1982 American Guild of Organists convention in the cathedral, Gerre Hancock director.
Score:
Audio of the first performance courtesy of Michael Barone.
Categorized as: 300 Canticles & Liturgies Published Works
Tagged as: a cappela, anthem, canticle, SATB