Music for Easter 2023

Vocal Music

• Christ, Victorious, Christ, Now Reigning - Stephen Caracciolo (b. 1962)
• Forth He Came at Easter - David H Williams (1919-2002)

Instrumental Music

• A Prelude for Easter Morning – Gerald Near (b. 1942)
• Symphony V: Toccata – Charles-Marie Widor (1844 – 1937)

Congregational Music (all hymns from The Hymnal 1982 with the exception of those marked “R” which are from Renew.)

• Hymn 207 Jesus Christ is risen today (EASTER HYMN)
• Hymn 417 This is the feast of victory (FESTIVAL CANTICLE)
• Hymn 210 The day of resurrection (DIADEMATA)
• Hymn 174 At the Lamb’s high feast we sing (SALZBURG)
• Hymn I come to the garden alone (IN THE GARDEN)
• Hymn R237 Jesus, stand among us (WEM IN LEIDENSTAGEN)
• Hymn 193 That Easter day with joy was bright (PUER NOBIS)
• Hymn 179 “Welcome, happy morning!” (FORTUNATUS)
• Psalm 118 – Tone VIIIa, refrain by Hal H. Hopson

Christ, Victorious, Christ, Now Reigning

This is an original hymn-anthem that accesses the many and varied images of Christ as set forth in the lections for Christ the King Sunday, which also makes it a strong choice for Easter. It was  commissioned by Overbrook Presbyterian, Columbus, Ohio from Stephen Caracciolo, a nationally known composer and arranger whose choral works have been performed throughout the United States and Europe.

Caracciolo is the Artistic Director of the LancasterChorale, central Ohio’s premier all-professional chamber choir. He also performs as a professional bass at Washington National Cathedral where he  serves as a composer and substitute conductor for services. The chamber choir of Washington National Cathedral has recorded a CD of Caracciolo's choral music.

Forth He Came at Easter

This text, found at hymn 204 in our hymnal, is usually sung to the French Tune NOEL NOUVELET, but David H. Williams chose to use another French tune in his setting of the hymn by the English priest John Crum.  

David Henry Williams was an acclaimed church organist, choirmaster, and composer who was born in  Caerphilly, Wales but moved to America where he became a prolific composer of church music in the 50s and 60s. From 1966 until 1984, David served as Minister of Music, organist, choirmaster and composer-in-residence at Catalina United Methodist Church Tucson, Arizona.  William's published works are part of the repertoire of church and school libraries throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Prelude for Easter Day

A powerful organ work for Easter based upon the Gradual for Easter Day, Haec dies (This is the day) and the hymn O filii et filiae (O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing, hymn 206). It begins quietly and mysteriously but ends with full organ.

Gerald Near is considered one of the finest composers of church music writing today. He was born the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, where he was introduced to some of the finest choirs in America. He studied theory and composition at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago with Leo Sowerby, and continued those studies with Leslie Bassett at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While at the University of Michigan, he also studied organ with Robert Glasgow, published organ and choral music, and completed his Master's degree in orchestral conducting while studying under Gustav Meier.

Since then Near has held such positions as Organist/Choirmaster and then Canon Precentor at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dallas, Texas; Composer in Residence at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado; and Music Director at The Church of Holy Faith in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is currently Director of Music and Organist at St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church in Green Valley, Arizona and a freelance composer.

Toccata, Symphony V

For some, it isn't Easter until they have heard the strains of the final movement of Charles-Marie Widor's Fifth Organ Symphony. Well, here it is. I hope you find joy in it! Although written as a finale, the Toccata stands alone as a popular piece suitable for joyous

occasions. Its perpetual 16th-note motion in the right hand, crisp repeated chords in the left hand, and octave-leaping melody in the pedals follow faithfully the distinctive elements of the French organ toccata, in an exhilarating and iconic way