The Holy Face : A Hymn of Reparation : by Koerber
  • francis
    Posts: 11,175
    Yesterday I was on my usual 2 mile walk in a cemetery nearby that also has a beautiful little chapel on the grounds. As I was cooling down and ready to drive off, I felt a nudge from the Lord to go to the chapel because He had something for me there.

    I approached the altar and sat down and opened my prayer book, and staring me in the face was... The Holy Face. As I started to pray the hymn a melody appeared in my minds eye. Quick to write it down, I grabbed an envelope from the doorway and sketched it out on the back. (see attached)

    Today I set it to an SATB hymn arrangement and am offering it to everyone, specifically to make reparation to the Holy Face.

    NOTE: I had to adjust some of the lyrics so that it would consistently fit the meter... if those of you who are hymn writers have better suggestions, please advise below. Thanks. I will include the original text in an attachment also.

    To see/hear the score go to:

    http://www.myopus.com/preview/theHolyFace.mp4

    UPDATE

    I just spotted a parallel fifth... will fix that at some point.
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  • monasteryliturgistmonasteryliturgist
    Posts: 508
    very beautiful! Ill have to share with our sister, Sr. Mary of the Holy Face.
    Thanked by 1francis
  • francis
    Posts: 11,175
    As I kept scrutinizing this arr. yesterday and today, I felt that measures 5 and 6 were a bit disjointed. Here is a revision that makes that passage smoother.

    To see/hear the score go to:

    http://www.myopus.com/preview/theHolyFaceRev1.mp4
    theHolyFaceHymnRev1.pdf
    75K
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  • achoyce91achoyce91
    Posts: 181
    I really like the descending bass parts. The harmonic movement is really pretty, really well executed. Congratulations! The only thing was it seemed short: thought of any way of expanding/repeating/whatever with what you’ve written?
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  • francis
    Posts: 11,175
    @achoyce91

    Well, it is a hymn with many verses… I could create some alternative harmonies for some verses.
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  • AgnusDei1989
    Posts: 50
    Lovely. Thank you for sharing this!
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  • CharlesW
    Posts: 12,041
    I like it!
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  • Liam
    Posts: 5,464
    < >
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  • achoyce91achoyce91
    Posts: 181
    @francis , oh ok. I was wondering…
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  • francis
    Posts: 11,175
    OK... at the request of @achoyce I am adding variations to the harmonic progression of this hymn (which is now coming more in line to be a chorale) to draw out the text. Here is the harmony for the second verse. It will play after the first verse which I already posted above.

    In order to create the illusion of a 'radiant face', I started the harmony in the key of C major, (VI chord of the original key), and when it gets to 'transfigured' I brought it through some wandering transpositions (which has the effect of throwing one off balance) and then back to the C major chord, (since the event did not last long and we are not allowed to pitch our tents!...)

    After that I utilized a chromatic ascent in the bass line to give the impression of 'on the mount' and then again wandering transpositions to emulate the 'enrapture of heavens light.'

    Then I bring the resolution to a completely unexpected A major at the cadence for the ultimate effect of the 'reveal of God's face'.

    Also, there are a number of tempo changes and opposing dynamics that aid in the dramatic effect of the same.

    This technique is sometimes referred to as word painting.

    So in order to compose this and then refine it in Sibelius took about five hours time.

    http://myopus.com/preview/theHolyFace03.mp4

    UPDATE - will again, have to fix the parallel fifth I just saw. (lol... this may be too progressive for many... i might bring it into a bit more predictability)
  • francis
    Posts: 11,175
    I backed away from being too progressive in the posting of verse 2 with this revised rendition. There is still a bit of the 'transfigured' effect left in the second verse, but this is much more refined.

    http://myopus.com/preview/theHolyFace04.mp4
    Thanked by 2Anna_Bendiksen StimsonInRehab
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