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Read a review of With Thee That I May Live (1997) for SATB chorus, children's chorus, and organ by Neil Lieurance, The Choral Journal.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of a performance of this work by the American Repertory Singers, Leo Nestor, conductor.
Download an MP3 file of a performance of this work by the American Repertory Singers, Leo Nestor, conductor.
Commissioned by the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church -- Oxford, Ohio for Easter 1997.
The text to With Thee That I May Live is by Anna Barbauld (1743-1825) and was selected by members of the Parish.
This anthem weaves together the Barbauld poem with the familiar Isaac Watts text, "This is the day the Lord hath made." The latter returns as a refrain for children's voices.
The Barbauld text moves from darkness to light -- from the "world wrapt in gloom" to the triumph of the Resurrection. Thus, the music opens in the depths of sound (Organ Pedal, low C). A few higher chords in the organ punctuate the unison singing of the choir. The start of light.
The brass enters, and the music grows in tempi and dynamics. The voices rise into higher ranges for a closing section:
"To Thee, my Savior and my King,
glad homage let me give.
I'll sacrifice all that I am,
with Thee that I may live.
Hosanna!"
Notes by the composer