Alleluia

I am oh, so tired of hearing the word "awesome," and even worse "amazing." Casual references using such, well, awesome and amazing references that seem to spill from everyone's lips these days sort of dilute th.  Meh.  Wouldn't it be sweeter to hear the word "alleluia" instead? 

"Alleluia" means, very simply, "Praise God."  You know...Him, from Whom all blessings flow? 

Years ago, my choir combined with several other local church choirs to present a concert for the victims of the war in Kosovo.  The major piece we sang was Randall Thompson's Alleluia.  It is a quiet, introspective piece written in July of 1940 and performed for the first time on July 8, 1940.  The war in Europe, the fall of France in particular, was on the composer's mind and although it was expected he would write a joyful work, he felt as if an Alleluia written in the form of a vocal fanfare would be in appropriate.  

Composers considering the appropriateness of their songs?

Alleluia.

We are now rehearsing the piece again, and since its melody is unmistakably etched in my sometimes scattered brain, I am comforted that there is only word of text to remember. I am mindful that the sopranos will every once in a while sing lower than the altos.  I am bolstered by the basses' supporting breath.  My spirit is lifted by the tenors, who enhance all the parts with complicated yet effortless-sounding harmony.  

Alleluia. 

I tell you all this to express my hope that you will consider accessing a version of this Alleluia. I am always looking for new avenues of inspiration, but especially as we enter the Season of Lent, in anticipation of the coming of Spring, the feeling of impending doom we call March Madness. 

I know there's a popular song called Allelujia (I hope I spelled that right)...and k.d. lang delivered a glorious rendition of it at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics last night in Vancouver. It's a nice song, catchy, the chords progress with the text that is so wonderfully painted to caress them. Nice song...but I am quite smitten with Randall Thompson's take on Alleluia. It fits where my life stands right now. I'm not an Olympian, after all. I'm just a lady with a computer and a mind full of ideas that pretty much nobody wants to hear.  

Alleluia. 

Here's more about Randall Thompson's inspirational music, 
from Wiki-Pooh, of course :)

Alleluia is a piece for unaccompanied SATB chorus by Randall Thompson. Composed over the first five days of July in 1940, it was given its world premiere on July 8 of that year at the Berkshire Music Center at TanglewoodG. Wallace Woodworth.

The work was written on a commission from Serge Koussevitzky, director of the Tanglewood Festival. Koussevitzky wanted a "fanfare" for voices to be performed at the opening exercises of the new Berkshire Music Center, and he asked Thompson to contribute such a piece. Instead of the joyous work expected of him, the composer produced a quiet and introspective piece. Thompson was inspired by the war in Europe, and the recent fall of France; given these events, he felt that to write a festive piece would be inappropriate.

The text of the work is simple; it consists of the word "Alleluia" repeated over and over again. The only other word in the text is "Amen", which is used once at the end. The end also divides the choir into seven parts.

Thompson once wrote that the Alleluia is

a very sad piece. The word "Alleluia" has so many possible interpretations. The music in my particular Alleluia cannot be made to sound joyous. It is a slow, sad piece, and...here it is comparable to the Book of Job, where it is written, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

The piece has become Thompson's most popular work, and is frequently performed today.

Alleluia is one of 15 hymns recorded for A Treasury of Hymns, a collaborative venture between Benny Hinn, Ralph Carmichael and the London Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

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A list of some of the other works performed by 
Central Christian Chancel Choir:

The Chancel Choir presents major works each December, 
sponsored by Dr. William McDaniel, in honor of his mother.

 

McDaniel Memorial Choral Presentations

1993 - Rutter, Magnificat

1994 - Mozart, Vesperae Solennes K. 339

1995 - Vivaldi, Magnificat

1996 - Rutter, Gloria

1997 - Mozart, Vesperae Solennes K. 321

1998 - Rutter, Magnificat

1999 - Vivaldi, Gloria

2000 - Patterson, Magnificat

2001 - Rutter, Magnificat

2002 - Pergolesi, Magnificat

2003 - Rutter, Gloria

2004 - Handel, Messiah

2005 - Bach, Magnificat

2006 - Vivaldi, Gloria
2007 - Rutter, Magnificat
2008 - Rutter, Gloria
2009 - Willcocks, Magnificat

In the spring of 1998, they joined with Calvary Baptist Church 's choir to present Rutter's Requiem, with soloists and orchestra.

In the spring of 2000, they joined with the choirs of Maxwell Street Presbyterian and Central Baptist Church to present Mozart's Requiem, with soloists and orchestra.

In the fall of 2005, they joined with the choirs of Maxwell Street Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, and Christ Church Episcopal to present Mendelssohn's Elijah, with soloists and organ.

 

Easter of 2003, the Chancel Choir commissioned and premiered an anthem composed by Dr. Joseph Baber, composer in residence at the University of Kentucky School of Music.

Easter of 2009, the Chancel Choir commissioned and premiered an anthem composed by Dr. Johnie Dean.

pray for peace, y'all,
alleluia! 

Kimmy