Title: Prolegomenon

Genre: Choral

Instrumentation: SSAAT(solo)B, handbells (43, G3-G7), handchimes (31, C4-C7), organ

Text: St. John 1:1-5 (King James)

Language: English

Duration: ca 5'

Description: The King James Bible stands as one of the greatest masterpieces of English writing. Its elegant language reaches one of its highest points in the prologue (prolegomenon) of the Gospel according to St. John. These five mystical verses strike all readers powerfully regardless of any religious persuasion. This setting attempts to capture the grandeur and mystery of this text from the opening quiet pedal point under shifting major-minor non-functional triads to the breathless C-major final chord with its questioning B-flat organ points. The choral writing is accessible by moderately well-equipped amateur church choirs. The small tenor solos can be taken by the entire section. The bell writing, while not terribly difficult, requires a good deal of switching between bells and chimes. A larger number of players simplifies the performance. Not every bell and chime in the ranges indicated is used as the numbers make obvious.

Items: The product download includes one full score only, watermarked for perusal. To obtain an unmarked score and a full set of parts, see the main catalog entry.