Morning Star

commissioned by Wartburg College 2008

instrumentation:
5 flutes (1st doubling piccolo)
2 oboes (optional cor anglais)
3 clarinets
bass clarinet
4 saxophones (alto, alto, tenor, baritone)
4 French horns
4 trumpets
3 trombones
bass trombone
euphonium
tuba
string bass
percussion (4-8 players)
harp (optional)
choir (SATB, no divisi, no soloists)

• O laud the Lord

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
[Bible: Revelation 22, King James Version]

[leading into the chorale:]
How brightly shines the Morning Star!
With mercy beaming from afar;
The host of heaven rejoices;
O righteous Branch, O Jesse's Rod!
Thou Son of Man and Son of God!
We, too, will lift our voices:
Jesus, Jesus!
Holy, holy, yet most lowly,
Draw thou near us;
Great Emmanuel, come and hear us.
[Philipp Nicolai 1556-1608), paraphrased in Psalmodia Germanica (1722), translated by William Mercer (1811-1873)]

• choral - mixed voices accompanied