for SATB and organ or piano or small orchestra or chamber group
O Come, Emmanuel is an Advent Celebration, suitable for both church and concert choirs. It is based on the 7 Great 'O' Antiphons, and fragments of the well-known plainsong hymn permeate the work. To these, Bullard has added settings of a number of other Advent texts and hymns, including the beautiful 'There is a rose-tree', a rousing setting of 'Chanticleer Carol', and new arrangements of 'Gabriel's Message' and 'Joy to the world!'. The work may be sung throughout by SATB choir, or a range of soloists may take some of the lines. The accompaniment - for organ or piano, or with small orchestra or chamber group - is equally flexible. A number of the movements make highly effective separate pieces and anthems. Written with the composer's long and practical experience, O Come, Emmanuel is a strikingly original work for Advent and Christmas that will enhance both liturgical celebrations and concert programmes at this time.
Forces or Category: SATB & organ/piano/small orchestra/chamber group
Duration: 35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Prelude
Advent Responsory (i)
Hymn: The advent of our God
O Wisdom
Where shall Wisdom be found?
O Lord of Lord
Come, thou long-expected Jesus
O Root of Jesse
There is a rose-tree
O Key of David
Earth grown old
Hymn: Thy kingdom come! on bended knee
O Morning Star
Chanticleer
O King of the Nations
Hymn: Joy to the world!
And they shall call his name Emmanuel
O Emmanuel
Gabriel's Message
And art thou come with us to dwell?
Advent Responsory (ii)
Hymn: Lo! he comes with clouds descending
Orchestration
1. With org/pno, using the accompaniment printed in the vocal score
2. With small orchestra or chamber group: 1 Fl, 1 Ob, 1 Cl in A, 1 Bsn/Bass Cl, 1 Tpt in B flat, 1 Hn in F, and either string quintet (2 vlns, vla, vc, db), or string orchestra, or keyboard (pno/org). The keyboard part here is an alternative to the string parts, and not the same as the accompaniment in the vocal score.
Programme Notes
O Come, Emmanuel is designed for liturgical use or as a concert piece. If performed liturgically, the congregation can join in the four hymns as marked. Optional Bible readings are suggested - they may not all be used, or they may be replaced with others. If performed in a concert situation - probably without readings - the hymns (sung by the choir) can be shortened or omitted as shown. The work is designed with some flexibility in mind, and may be sung entirely by SATB choir, with groups of singers (or the whole choir) taking the unison lines as indicated, or by SATB choir with a range of soloists. Many of the movements, including the settings of 'There is a rose-tree' and 'Chanticleer' may be performed separately during the Advent/Christmas season. The work could be used for a 'darkness to light' service. The choir could sing the first Advent Responsory from the back, and move forward to intermediate positions during the first two hymns, reaching the front during 'Joy to the World'.
