Description
Kallman Creates Publications
SATB choir, piano. Duration: 4’12”
Listen
(St. John’s Chorale of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Northfield, MN; Nathan Proctor, piano; Daniel Kallman conducting)
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Composer’s Notes
A new and uplifting setting of Jean Janzen’s stirring poem, this work was commissioned in celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Northfield, Minnesota. It was composed for a very good church choir, so this setting will also be accessible to good high school and college choirs who have a fine pianist. Here is the text:
When at creation’s dawn there was no sound,
God hummed a brooding song of birth profound:
the symphony of nature all around.
Alleluia.
For every sound comes from the Maker’s hand,
the cleansing rush of river, drift of sand.
Each scraping insect sings across the land,
Alleluia.
That music stirs in us through day and night,
a unity of soul and body’s light,
which our breath and voice rise into flight.
Alleluia.
So let our songs now echo nature’s praise.
All strings and cords in sweet vibration raise
to glorify our God through all our days.
Alleluia.
–Jean Janzen, used by permission.
