Come Down, O Love Divine
David Ashley White

Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. David Ashley White
Text Bianco da Siena (d. 1434), tr. Richard Frederick Littledale, alt
Voicing SATB, organ, tpt. and opt. cong.
Church Season Pentecost
Price $1.95 (U.S.)
Length 2' 40" Released 1/99
Catalog no. 405-619
Difficulty
Mod. easy

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Anthem text
Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,
till passions turn to dust
in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light,
O light shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round,
the while my path illuming.

And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the pow'r of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

--Bianco da Siena (d. 1434); tr. Richard Frederick Littledale, alt.

Reviews
"This is as ideal a hymn anthem on this estimable Pentecost hymn as one could wish for. It reminds me of, and is certainly on par with, the hymn anthems of Healey Willan. Highly recommended." --Cross Accent, Spring 2000

"David Ashley White offers a new setting of 'Come Down, O Love Divine," scored for SATB choir, trumpet, organ, and optional congregational participation. Based on the familiar Vaughan Williams tune DOWN AMPNEY, the first stanza gradually progresses from unison to four-part choir. Around the choral writing, interesting counterpoint is created by the trumpet and, for the first nine measures, an organ solo stop. Stanza two initially continues with four-part texture, but with the melody placed in the tenor, creating a warm effect. Following a six-measure interlude pf increasing intensity, the final stanza invites the congregation to participate with the unison choir. The descant here is predominantly doubled by the trumpet part (although the trumpet part is occasionally independant)." --The Hymn, April 2000

"The solo trumpet line is not difficult but there are some exposed high notes. The music has traditional harmony and a stately character. Much of the choir music is unison with the third stanza employing a soprano descant doubled by the trumpet. The melody used throughout is Vaughan Williams' DOWN AMPNEY. The trumpet and congregational parts are published separately." --Diapason, April 2000

Description David Ashley White has crafted a beautifully lyrical arrangement of this beloved Pentecost hymn for SATB, trumpet, and organ. Throughout the course of the hymn's three stanzas, Vaughan Williams's tune DOWN AMPNEY is presented in unison, two-part, and four-part choral textures, with the final stanza crowned by a soprano descant. (The congregation may also join in the singing of stanza 3.) Solid, satisfying, and very accessible.



 

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