Morning or Evening Prayer
Russell Schulz-Widmar

Composer Russell Schulz-Widmar
Text Johannes Zwick (1496–1542)/Phos hilaron, tr. Russell Schulz-Widmar
Voicing SATB, kybd.
Topics Morning, Evening
Price $1.90 (U.S.)
Length 1' 50" Released 6/15
Catalog no. 410-980
Difficulty Mod. easy

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Anthem text
Morning
Dawn’s radiant light brings us outpoured
the loving kindness of our Lord,
which does not end when day is past,
but gives new life while life shall last.

O God, the Sun, of dawning day
give us that light for which we pray.
Your holy flame on us bestow
that Christlike love our lives will show.

Walk with us, Lord, in light of day,
abide with us and come what may
let hope endure, let faith be strong,
O Lord, our whole life long.

-- Johannes Zwick (1496–1542), adapt.

Evening
O joyous Light, most pure and bright,
O blazing glory from above,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blest,
you fill the world with radiant love:

Darkness draws near, but you are here,
we see you in the vesper light.
Trinity blest, in whom we rest,
we sing your praises through the night.

Glory and praise to you we raise,
O wellspring of life, of lifegiving grace.
Worship is due to you alone
at every time in every place.

Russell Schulz-Widmar, tr. of Phos hilaron, 3rd cent. Greek

review copy

Description This useful anthem by Russell Schulz-Widmar includes separate texts for both morning and evening prayer. The easy, hymn-like setting treats each verse differently and builds to a big ending. "This choral hymn is an enjoyable piece whose merit extends beyond its practical use." (AAM Journal)

Review
"Johannes Zwick's hymn, in an uncredited translation as 'Dawn's radiant light brings us outpoured the loving kindness of our Lord," and the composer's metrical translation of the Phos hilaron are both underlaid in this graceful choral hymn. After a four-measure organ introduction that unfolds from pianissimo single note to mezzoforte widely spaced chord, the choir enters with Philip Armes's 1875 tune GALILEE in the original harmonization. The tune, which appears in Hymns Ancient and Modern as the second tune for the hymn 'Jesus shall reign where'er the sun,' is an elegant triple meter tune with a few Victorian touches in chromatic harmony. As the choir finishes the first stanza, the organ re-enters with a modulating bridge. Basses then sing the melody with a tenor descant above them as the organ accompanies in a helpful, unobtrusive way. A quick return to the original key prepares for unison melody and soprano descant above. In format and execution, the anthem is extremely familiar. Many choirs could learn this in the space of a rehearsal or two, yet it could be used in the Daily Office without tiring of it. Far from being merely a piece of functional Gebrauchsmusik, this choral hymn is an enjoyable piece whose merit extends beyond its practical use." --AAM Journal, September 2017



 

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