Veni Emmanuel

Program Notes

This piece was composed in the fall of 1997 for the combined ensembles of the Malone College music department. The tune Veni Emmanuel first appeared in the 15th century and is best known today in the United States as the Christmas hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." This setting begins dark and sombre, expressing a longing for the Messiah to come. The piece grows progressively brighter and more cheerful and finally festive with the realization that the time of His appearing has come. After the first statement of the words "Rejoice! Rejoice!" the listener will hear the brass briefly quote the hymn " Crown Him With Many Crowns," referiing, of coure, to Jesus, the King of Kings. The piece closes softly, with a solo trumpet asking the question "What wondrous love is this?"

This page last updated on 07/27/07