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to the Website for
"Unnumbered through the
Ages"
Anthem
for
Choir
and
Organ
Text
and
Music
by
Ennis Fruhauf
(9 pages)
Notes
"Unnumbered through the Ages"
is an expanded three
verse hymn anthem for SATB choir and organ, based on an original text and
melody; it celebrates the lives, spirits and legacies of countless saints
through the ages. While appropriate for All Saints observances, the text's
recurring imagery
of light and enlightenment is also native to the spirit of Epiphany.
A bold fanfare introduces the first
verse in which the hymn is sung in unison with organ accompaniment. An
extended organ interlude follows, presenting and then developing a
counter-theme sixteen measures in length. After a motivic modulatory
transition, the second verse reintroduces the counter-theme in combination
with the hymn as sung by paired choral voices. The opening fanfares return
to herald the third verse: here bold statements of consecutive phrases of
the hymn tune are interspersed with brief fanfare interpolations made up of
motives from the counter-theme. The codetta adds a traditional ‘Amen’ in
motivic stretto that is shared
imitatively by voices and organ.
Although conservative in terms of
technical demands on vocal ensemble and organist, this anthem can be
enhanced by imaginative use of an accompanying instrument, particularly when
there are varied solo and chorus reeds available for flourishes and
prominent melodic lines – including the counter-theme in all its varied
guises and appearances.
Copyright © 2010 Ennis Fruhauf
All rights reserved
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