SKU: SU.80300272

Invoking the key, tempo, and rhythms of the Thanksgiving hymn, We gather together, this setting builds a cumulative texture over an original melody in the alto line. Commissioned by Sigma Alpha Iota in honor of their hundredth anniversary, it makes a fine festival opener. SSA, piano Published by: Treble Clef Music Minimum order quantity: 8 copies.

SKU: CA.8000131

ISBN 9790007163297. Language: German. Text: Froitzheim, Ewald. Text: Ewald Froitzheim.

Score available separately - see item CA.8000100.

SKU: CA.8000190

ISBN 9790007163570. Key: A major. Language: German. Text: Gerloff, Peter. Text: Peter Gerloff.

Score available separately - see item CA.8000100.

SKU: CA.8000064

ISBN 9790007163174. Language: German. Text: Zenetti, Lothar. Text: Lothar Zenetti.

SKU: CA.8000179

ISBN 9790007163501. Language: German. Text: Gerloff, Peter. Text: Peter Gerloff.

Score available separately - see item CA.8000100.

SKU: CF.CM9773

ISBN 9781491164440. UPC: 680160923342. Key: C# minor. English. Christina Rossetti.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,                                                       Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;                                                               Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,                                                             In the bleak midwinter, long ago.What can I give Him, poor as I am?                                                                                        If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;                                                                         If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;                                                                        Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.The text from this beloved poem of Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) was originally published in an 1872 issue of Scribner’s Monthly, under the title A Christmas Carol. In the first of its five stanzas, the speaker describes in great detail a bitingly cold winter scene, void of both warmth and light. By the final stanza, the speaker's thoughts turn inward, asking what gift they may offer the infant Jesus, meek though they believe themselves to be.The poem was later set by English composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934) as a contribution to the English Hymnal in 1906 and remains the most popular setting today.London-born Rossetti came to be regarded not only as one of the greatest female poets of her time, but as an outspoken advocate on several societal issues, including slavery and cruelty towards animals.In this setting, word painting is of the utmost importance. Careful attention to word stress throughout the course of the piece will make the performance all the more captivating. Descriptive lines such as “frosty wind made moan” should be conveyed with swelling crescendos, like frigid gusts of frozen air.While this piece features an original tune, the beloved Holst melody is also featured briefly, beginning in m. 28. Take care to bring this out.There are plenty of other allusions to wintry scenes scattered throughout the choral parts as well as the accompaniment. I encourage you to put your sleuthing “hats” on and find them all. It will make the learning experience much more memorable and fun.