Arr by Linda Lamb . . . Hymn Tune . . . 

This is an arrangement with a comforting spirt that follows the words of the original chorale hymn closely (Jesu, Meine Freude), with its dynamics and with its general texture.  It is written for handbells and for a very prominent flute part, which is necessary for a proper performance -- and it will take a decent flutist of good high-school or college calibre to do it decently.

 The minor hymn, normally done with three verses, is played three times through here -- the first time opens with a soft singing bell/flute section in a gentle 4/4-6/4 mixed meter, moves into the second verse with a little more agitation (and a really good bass/midbell handchime melodic section), and finally goes into the strong third verse (of peace and settlement) with forte chords and a fiery ff flute part.  The music then roars into a a large final few measures of fff chords and notes.  

The music is that of Lent, asking for trust and guidance from a comforting spirit -- but can be used at any other time of the church calendar.  The arrangement is a basic Level 3 for handbells, with a few challenging accidentals and a touch of challenging counting.  The handchime section (which is necessary) uses 3 octaves of chimes from D4 up to Bb5.

• Keys of G Minor and A Minor, 4/4 and 6/4 time signatures, marked "mysteriously, slowly" 80 speed

• Quarter and 8th notes throughout, with a few syncopations; there are a bunch of accidentals in spots, and some that will need careful work

• Singing bell at the opening and a few measures of echo are the only special techniques

• Dynamics expand from soft to loud to ff, with moments of phrasing available 

© 2012  Concordia Publishing