  This 17th century German hymn is well known in a few denominations in recent years, but may be unfamiliar to many. It combines a very singable, if rangy, melody with a lyric of personal devotion. The first stanza is done quite simply, followed by the second with a traditional-style harmonization. The third stanza is reminiscent of plainsong chant. The fourth stanza returns to traditional-style harmonization, as does the fifth. It may seem that five stanzas would either make this piece unusually long or unusually repetitive, but it successfully avoids both traps. + + + Open now thy gates of beauty, Zion, let me enter there, Where my soul in joyful duty Waits on Him who answers prayer; O how blessed is this place, Filled with solace, light, and grace. Here, O God, I come before Thee, Come Thou also down to me; Where we find Thee and adore Thee, There a heaven on earth must be; To my heart, O enter Thou, Let it be Thy temple now. Here Thy praise is gladly chanted, Here Thy seed is duly sown; Let my soul, where it is planted, Bring forth precious sheaves alone; So that all I hear may be Fruitful unto life in me. Thou my faith increase and quicken, Let me keep Thy gift divine; Howsoe'er temptations thicken, May Thy word still o'er me shine, As my guiding star through life, As my comfort in my strife. Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee, Let Thy will be done indeed; May I undisturbed draw near Thee While Thou dost Thy people feed; Here of life the fountain flows, Here is balm for all our woes. + + + MP3 sound sample: Complete piece (synthesizer/midi). OPEN NOW THY GATES OF BEAUTY by Joachim Neander, lyrics by Benjamin Schmolck translated by Catherine Winkworth, arranged by Tom Kirkland for Male Chorus TTBB, comes in a pdf file of 192K, with a nine-page score and a license page, ten pages in all. Performance time should be about 3:20. |
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