God So Loved the World

Updated
 
3.0
 
4.8 (1)
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God So Loved.jpg

Anthem Information

Arranger
Publisher
Voicing
Year Published

Ordering Information

Catalog No.
080689028274

Fresh setting of the traditional John Stainer composition based on John 3:16. The orchestration makes this piece soar and glow with color and beauty.

Editor review

1 review

Lovely orchestration of John Stainer original
(Updated: April 23, 2013)
Overall rating 
 
3.0
Choral Integrity 
 
2.0
Textual Quality 
 
5.0
Teachability 
 
2.0
Audience Response 
 
3.0
I first heard this setting at the National Cathedral during the 2011 Spirit of CUE Choir presentation by the 130-voice Youth Choir of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC, Larry Dickens, Director. This choir led off the Festival Grand Concert with this anthem, and the YouthCUE staff and I sat on the front row mesmerized. The part-writing in the orchestration is so beautiful that it is breathtaking, particularly in the Cathedral setting. Even the professional players somehow sensed they were on holy ground. The choral ranges are perfect for student voices.

That being said, a caveat needs to be offered: the anthem will be much more effective if the choral phrases, chopped up by eighth rests throughout the piece, are re-connected and put back together for long sweeping phrases. The choir - yes, including student choirs - can accomplish this with some work and discipline. The lines re-fused are beautiful and moving. Highly recommended for a concert color piece or a worship service around Communion, Lent, Holy Week, or even Advent.

The Bottom Line

Pros
Beautiful harmonies and orchestration
Cons
Musical lines and phrases written are chopped up and need to be re-connected together
RE
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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating 
 
4.8
Choral Integrity 
 
5.0  (1)
Textual Quality 
 
5.0  (1)
Teachability 
 
4.0  (1)
Audience Response 
 
5.0  (1)
Strong arrangement
Overall rating 
 
4.8
Choral Integrity 
 
5.0
Textual Quality 
 
5.0
Teachability 
 
4.0
Audience Response 
 
5.0
Beautiful setting/orchestration. Lines are a bit disjunct, though.
CK
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