Cantus Natalis
by Z. Randall Stroope
4-Part - Sheet Music

SATB choir, with Treble choir, Brass, Percussion, and Organ (SATB choir with Treble Choir)

SKU: AN.AMP-5016

Composed by Z. Randall Stroope. Alliance Music Publications #AMP 5016. Published by Alliance Music Publications (AN.AMP-5016).

Stroope.

No one could argue the pomp and celebratory nature of brass, percussion and organ in tandem. Of course, history has bore this out with coronations, celebration of victory, and even occasions of great sadness. Many such events are ushered in by a fanfare, and so I wrote a slightly extended three-minute instrumental fanfare to begin Cantus Natalis. (I was a trombonist in my youth, and wanted to write a difficult opener to get the instrumentalist's [and audience's] attention early on.) Movement II heralds in the announcement of Hodie apparuit Emmanuel with strongly accented unisons, followed by eia (joy) in a series of contrapuntal ideas. Movement III uses a macaronic text (English and Latin), opening with an unaccompanied chant based on Lo, How a Rose and then moving to The angels sing Osanna, ushered in by the treble choir, and joined in a nearly tutta forza dynamic to end. The fourth and final movement (Lauda Sion) is more earthy or primal, juxtaposed by the treble choir (Good Shepherd, True Bread, feed and protect us). And, like the final scene of an opera or music theater production, all forces lock step into a full, sonorous ending of joy.

Note: The TREBLE CHOIR (movements III. and IV.) can be a children's choir, older youth choir, or an adult treble contingent of the mixed choir. A younger group is preferred.

ZRS