This is the quintessential Easter hymn, being sung every Easter throughout the English speaking world by almost all Christian denominations, and in many many other languages and countries across the world.
The piece is introduced and the stanzas are connected by a brass bridge, each time ending in the same way to easily cue the choir or congregation. The first three stanzas are in concert C, and the final stanza is in concert D.
The brass quintet can stand alone, or the organ can stand alone, or the tympani can be added to either, organ can play with just two trumpets, or all can play together, and again, adding singers is also very easy. Choir or congregation can simply sing directly from a hymnal. So this is a sort of a one-size-fits-many piece. The brass quintet is two trumpets, F horn (a euphonium part is included if needed to substitute), trombone, and tuba. The tympani part is for a set of four.
If this piece is done with organ, to relieve the fatigue of the low brass players it is recommended that all of the brass rest during the third stanza.
A unique feature of this piece is that the horn part contains a sort of hunting call motif during the final stanza. It will likely become a favorite of your horn player. It is meant to remind the listener/singer of the shofar that will sound the call on the last day.
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Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens and earth reply Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King! Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save! Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done. Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won. Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise! Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head. Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise! Alleluia
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY, arranged by Tom Kirkland for two trumpets, F horn or euphonium, trombone, tuba, organ, and tympani, comes in a pdf file of 381K, with an eight-page score, seven two-page parts, one five-page (organ) part, and a license page, twenty-eight pages in all. Performance time should be about 3:10.