News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Church Cantatas for Lent and Easter Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Lead your congregation in Lenten or Easter worship with one of these dynamic cantatas!

Created and composed by Lloyd Larson, Who Do You Say That I Am? invites choir, narrators, and congregation to experience anew the earthly life of Jesus, seeing His life, ministry, death, and resurrection through the eyes of front-row participants, whose varied answers to the title question reveal the “Messiah,” “Emmanuel,” “Gifted Teacher,” the “Miracle Worker,” the “King of Glory,” the “King above all kings,” a “Man of Sorrows,” the “Sacrificial Lamb of God,” the “Triumphant Lord of Life,” and the “Son of the living God.” This extended work, suitable for the Lenten season, may be presented in multiple segments during Lent or throughout Holy Week. It may also be performed in its entirety as a single 35-minute work, culminating with a resurrection anthem or saving that final chapter of the story for Easter Sunday. The short dramatic monologues may be presented from memory by actors in costume or by narrators reading the scripts from the cantata book. Available in SATB or SAB versions, this flexible work may be presented effectively with piano accompaniment alone or with the full orchestration created by Brant Adams, utilizing the accompaniment CD or live instrumentalists.

In Calvary’s Shadow: A Tenebrae Service is a deeply moving service of penitence and forgiveness. With elegant simplicity, it invites the faithful to experience Jesus’ journey from betrayal through crucifixion with a tightly woven tapestry of dramatic scripture readings, vocal solos and congregational singing, and arrangements of spirituals and gospel hymns, as well as newly composed music by celebrated composer Victor Johnson. Central to both the title and the liturgy is the ritual extinguishing of seven candles, leaving the church in total darkness except for the Christ Candle. After a period of quiet meditation while sitting “In Calvary’s Shadow,” God’s people exit the church in silence. Approximately 30 minutes long, this dramatic Tenebrae service is perfect for incorporation into regular Holy Week worship. Quickly and easily prepared, it can be performed with or without simple staging and costumes. The readings can be performed by one reader or by up to five readers, representing Jesus, a priest, Caiaphas, Pilate, and a narrator. For a special touch, parts are available for a flexible and lightly scored instrumental ensemble. Â 

For more recommendations for your choir during the upcoming Lenten and Easter season, please call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online.

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