Sinfonia on 'Lo, How a Rose'

Use: Advent
Required Resources: 3-octave handbells


One of the most noble Advent chorales is Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen ("Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming"). Frederick Frahm uses this melody as the basis for his Sinfonia for 3-octaves of handbells.

The Sinfonia is in three parts: a peaceful beginning and ending surround the middle Allegro section. The first quiet section explores the intrinsic timbre of the bell tone — it is set basically in two-part texture (melody and harmony). The Allegro section uses an ostinato of alternating sixteenth notes (best played by one ringer) and off-beat eighth notes in the bass. Half note chords surround the melody, played in consecutive fourths. The closing section, marked "Peacefully," begins in two parts and expands to three in a short fantasia on motives from the chorale.

This piece would make a beautiful addition to any handbell choir's Advent repertoire.

Mr. Frahm is a prize-winning and critically-acclaimed composer, whose pieces have enjoyed frequent performances in the U.S., Europe and South Africa. The composer's complete works and correspondence are archived in the Mortvedt Library at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

He is currently Director of Music at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham, Washington. As a church musician, he has served Lutheran, Episcopal and Roman Catholic parishes for more than 25 years.