An evening hymn of confidence and faith in the Son of God
Scoring: SATB choir and organ
Words: Phos hilarion (3rd century [or earlier] Greek hymn), based on the translation by John Keble (1792-1866)
Date: 2020
This ancient hymn is about "gladdening light", in particular the light of Jesus Christ who comes from God the Father into our dark world. It is intended to be sung in the evening. What is unusual about the hymn is the position of its doxology ("Father, Son and Holy Ghost") in the middle of the hymn, rather than after the last verse, as is common in most settings of psalms, canticles and many hymns from the last 200 years. This enables it to retain a biblical freshness, in which the Son of God is the main focus of attention, with theological reflection secondary to the primary reality that he is the "giver of life".
The musical setting is here based around a major seventh chord, and it uses deliberately chromatic harmonies, both of which illustrate the words with sparkle and colour. The first verse is sung by soprano and alto soloists, and its words are then repeated by the whole choir a cappella. After a shortened, quiet second verse, with its reflective doxology, the organ performs a brief, noisy and celebratory cadenza, before launching into the final verse with the full choir in exuberant praise. The anthem ends, as it started, with the phrase "gladdening Light" extending as if to the furthest ends of the world.
Words:
1.
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured
from the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.
2.
Now we are come the sun's hour of rest,
the lights of evening round us shine,
we hymn the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
3.
Worthiest art Thou at all times to be sung
with undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life:
in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.
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