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David von Kampen
David von Kampen
Easter Cantata (Vocal and Piano Score)
A musically accessible, theologically rich Easter Cantata for church and school choirs.
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Easter Cantata
SATB, piano, optional string quartet, optional soloists
This is the Vocal and Piano score.
Composed in 2021, this 5-movement Cantata sets texts from the hymnwriters Brigitte Katerine Boye, Martin Luther, and Paul Gerhardt in addition to passages from Psalm 118 and Job 19. These musical settings pair these sturdy sacred texts with new melodies, interesting harmony, and colorful, supportive string accompaniment.
Composer’s Notes
The choral parts throughout these five movements are designed for maximum flexibility. Any section scored for SATB can be reduced to SAB (with all low voices singing together either the tenor or bass part) or sung by any combination of voices all on the soprano melody. Most passages can also be reduced to 2-part mixed, utilizing only the soprano and either the tenor or bass parts. Feel free to adapt the choral parts as needed to fit your ensemble.
Movements 2 and 4 each contain vocal solos. These are optional and can be done instead by multiple voices or full sections. Both solos are notated in treble clef but can be sung in the lower register just as well.
The string quartet is also optional, although I encourage you to utilize it if you have the resources to do so. The string parts are warm and supportive, and I believe they are a meaningful addition to the musical texture.
The first violin part can also be used throughout most of the work as a C instrument obligato (with the remaining string parts omitted). Occasionally this violin is scored in its low register (below C4) or utilizes pizzicato (plucked strings). If you choose to perform the work with flute or oboe instead of violin, these passages can be omitted or adapted at the conductor’s discretion.
-David von Kampen
Text
Movement 1: “He is Arisen! Glorious Word!”
He is arisen! Glorious Word!
Now reconciled is God, my Lord;
The gates of heav’n are open.
My Jesus did triumphant die,
And Satan’s arrows broken lie,
Destroyed hell’s fiercest weapon.
Oh, hear what cheer!
Christ victorious
Rising glorious,
Life is giving.
He was dead but now is living!
–Brigitte Katerine Boye (1742-1824), tr. George A.T. Rygh (1860-1942)
Movement 2: “A Sound of Exultation”
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now proclaim,
“His mercy endures forever.”
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and He has become my salvation.
There is a sound of exultation and victory.
I shall not die, but live.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
–Psalm 118:1-2, 14-17, 24
Movement 3: “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands”
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of alleluia!
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down,
His people to deliver;
Destroying sin, He took the crown
From death’s pale brow forever.
Here our true Paschal Lamb we see, Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree,
So strong His love, to save us.
–Martin Luther (1483-1546), tr. Richard Massie (1800-87)
Movement 4: “Job 19:25”
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
-Job 19:25
Movement 5: “Awake, My Heart with Gladness”
Awake, my heart, with gladness,
See what today is done;
Now, after gloom and sadness,
Comes forth the glorious sun.
My Savior there was laid
Where our bed must be made
When to the realms of light
Our spirit wings its flight.
–Text by Paul Gerhardt (1607-76), tr. John Kelly (1833-90)
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