Ad offertorium: In festo Transfigurationis
by Samuel Wesley
High Voice - Sheet Music

High voice, organ

SKU: C5.8020

Composed by Samuel Wesley. Edited by John Schwarz. Text: Liturgy of the Hours. Festive solo for high voice. General. Published by CanticaNOVA Publications (C5.8020).

Samuel Wesley, the son of Methodist founder and hymn writer Charles Wesley, was an organist and composer in London. He led the Bach revival in England, and wrote both sacred and secular music. His setting of a Responsory for the Feast of the Transfiguration dates from approximately 1799. It is set for high voice (tenor or soprano) and organ. The music is in the late Baroque style that would have been found in England at the end of the eighteenth century. The vocal line is lightly florid, while the organ adopts the role of continuo, supporting but not coloring the texture. The text: "Lord, you crowned Him with glory and honor, and placed Him above all the works of your hands. You gloriously prepared Him in the presence of the Lord; therefore clothe yourself with honor, alleluia!" makes this vocal solo useful not just for the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) but for any festive day in honor of Christ (Ascension, Christ the King, Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Baptism of the Lord). The editor, Dr. John Schwarz, has made the CNP edition of Wesley's music perfectly useful as a joyful solo for those festive Masses when no choir is present.