Christmas Triptych

Use: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
Required Resources: SAB choir, organ
Language: English

Christmas Triptych contains three pieces for the Christmas cycle:

• Advent- O Heavenly Word, Eternal Light
• Christmas- Love Came Down at Christmas / Angels We Have Heard on High
• Epiphany- We Three Kings of Orient Are

All three movements set hymn melodies in creative arrangements for SAB choir and organ. The first uses a chant melody; the second, two familiar Christmas tunes (sung simultaneously at the end); the third is a simple setting of a traditional Epiphany carol. With much unison singing and easy parts and ranges, Christmas Triptych is a practical work for even the smallest choir.

Robert Jordahl is a Louisiana composer, retired from the faculty of McNeese State University. While his works include Masses, operas and ballets, Dr. Jordahl in his Christmas Triptych shows his talent for writing for choirs of limited means.