Preview: Lift High the Cross (Crucifer)
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SKU: A0.808679
Composed by Sydney H. Nicholson (1875-1947). Arranged by F. Leslie Smith. Christian,Easter,Sacred. Score and parts. 32 pages. Sweetwater Brass Press #3360695. Published by Sweetwater Brass Press (A0.808679). In 1887, George Kitchin wrote "Lift High the Cross." Michael R. Newbolt revised it in 1916, and it was printed in that year in Sydney Nicholson’s supplement to Hymns Ancient and Modern. At the same time, it was set to Nicholson’s hymn tune, "Crucifer," and has since come to be used as the opening or closing hymn in many churches.
There are several very good arrangements of "Lift High the Cross" featuring brass instruments with varying combinations of other musicians-organ, choir, tympani, snare drum, hand bells, high voice descant. This arrangement features brass quintet alone, and the triumphant nature of the hymn’s melody sits exceptionally well with this particular instrumental grouping. It begins, however, with a completely different interpretation-the first time through the refrain and the verse are played relatively slowly, quietly and contemplatively (the tempo marking instructs "Reverently"). The pace then picks up, and the feeling of the piece changes to one of exultation. This joyous mood is sustained throughout the variations that follow, and each player gets a chance to shine. Finally, after one last statement of the refrain, the dynamics quiet down for a beautifully soft finish. This is a perfect concert piece for Easter, Lent, or church processional or recessional.
This arrangement was completed in 2017, and performance time runs about 5 minutes, 10 seconds. The arranger, Les Smith, would be very interested in your comments on this piece; contact him at lessmith@ufl.edu or leave a review on the SheetMusicPlus website. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the SheetMusicPlus search box.
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