Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

- Matthew Koraus

PDF Sample

Use: Easter
Required Resources: SATB choir, organ, 2 trumpets, congregation
Language: English

Unquestionably the most familiar and oft-used Easter hymn is "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today," using the tune Easter Hymn, also called Worgan or Lyra Davidica. Frequently programmed for Easter Sunday, the hymn often calls for a rather festive setting, and that is just what Matthew Koraus has provided.

Scored for SATB choir, 2 trumpets in C, congregation and organ, the piece has four verses, with an introduction and three interludes preceding them:

1. After an extended introduction that alternates trumpets and organ, the first verse is sung in unison by all, with simple organ accompaniment. The trumpets punctuate the verse, adding brief brass "bridges" at the phrase breaks.
2. A four-measure interlude leads to an SATB verse, which might be accompanied on quiet organ or be sung a cappella.
3. Trumpet 1 and organ offer a richly thematic interlude before Verse 3, sung by unison men or unison women, with solo trumpet descant.
4. The final instrumental interlude reprises some material from the introduction, leading to the last verse, scored for unison voices with descant. The trumpets once again punctuate the phrases and bring the piece to a fortissimo climax.

This setting provides abundant music for an extended Eastertide processional. The trumpet parts (Trumpet 1 in particular) require good players. The vocal parts are not difficult. A PDF file of Trumpet parts in C and Bb can be emailed upon purchase of the choral music.

A YouTube recording of this piece can be heard at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8jLgorHuUg.