The Lord's Prayer (Global Version)
Digital Sheet Music

Sacred Music Competition

Composer’s Note:

     The Lord’s Prayer (Global Version) is a contemporary setting of the Lord's Prayer utilizing pentatonic scales and combinations of traditional and non-traditional harmonies and rhythms. I used the English text from both versions in traditional and contemporary language to match the music for word painting. The prayer itself is a plea for God's will to be done in each of us; as a result, a sincere and earnest mood should be the main focus throughout the work. Most Christians know the prayer by heart in their own language and it is used today by every Christian tradition. I wrote the global version for three different languages: English, German, and Korean.

     This anthem is in the style of responsorial singing: a soloist sings a line which is followed by the choir or the piano accompaniment. Each passage is developed in its own way, but the common technique used throughout this work is the systematic use of repetition, adding new layers of texture to what is present (e.g. mm.11–18 and mm. 19–33). This technique begins with a simple figure, which is repeated a number of times with slight variations. The piano, with a simple four-bar passage, introduces the new section and time. Then the choir, soloist, and piano perform in turn in a slightly modified call and response style. The rhythms used in mm. 27–31, are a variation of Gutgeori jang dan, one of the Korean traditional rhythms that make this global version unique.

     The final section, giving glory to God, is the doxology where familiar chords and cadences may suddenly lead to unfamiliar harmony to reflect the awe and wonder that leads to the ending “Amen” in D major chord.