Sweet Hour of Prayer Sweet Hour of Prayer Merry Gentlemen

Three Plus Flutes for three soprano with opt. 4th/ob. with alto and bass & piccolo. An introduction using unrelated material leads the tune presented in voice two, supported by harmonies in the lower voices, then an obbligato-like motion added by the upper voice. A modulation upward makes room for a duet in the upper lines, later joined by the lower voices in a contrapuntal fashion. The final section becomes more vigorous and imitative until a solid, declamatory ending.

Brass choir scored for four trumpets (opt horn) two trombones, baritone BC/TC and tuba. This entire piece is one of serenity, gentleness and great affect. The introduction is in the lower voices producing a rich sound and sense of expectation. The trumpets add in on the melody with long lines of expression, and then the lower voices offer a response in like manner. The next section increases in movement and dynamic until it modulates to a new key center. The phrases now alternate between the low voices in an almost antiphonal fashion. Another modulation elevates the urgency of the piece and the trumpets carry the entire load throughout this section. The rest of the instruments then bolster the ensemble giving increased strength. The pieces quiets and becomes reflective and then settles with an “all is well.”

Three Plus Flutes for three soprano with opt. 4th/ob. with alto and bass. A beginning that is yearning in emotion and subtle shifts in harmonic and linear lines. A modulation to a higher tessitura in strong block chords gives a feeling of strength. The piece then settles back into the original key with a series of imitation of the various parts. The piece becomes more solemn as the pitch levels drop until settling into a final cadence.