Church Cantatas for Lent and Easter Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Lead your congregation in Lenten or Easter worship with one of these dynamic cantatas!
Master composer Joseph M. Martin brings us The Lenten Sketches, a series of musical tableaus illustrating the pivotal final day of Christ's earthly ministry, the triumphal entry, the last supper, the garden of Gethsemane and the crucifixion. With a performance time of approximately 30 minutes, this cantata is easily integrated into a worship event. Expertly orchestrated by Brant Adams, this important work is destined to become a Lenten classic. Outstanding!
John Leavitt's Calvary's Mountain can be used as a special service anytime during Lent or Holy Week, and would be especially appropriate for Palm Sunday or Good Friday when the Passion Narrative is preferred. The readings are the Passion account according to St. John. The work can be done with choir alone in a special music presentation or including the congregation for a fully participatory worship experience.
Near the Cross (Suite for Lent or Holy Week) is perfect for groups looking for a shorter option to a complete cantata. Approximately nine minutes in length, this suite is perfect for incorporation into regular worship. Three beloved hymns frame the work: Near the Cross reassures us as we journey in the shadow of the cross; Beneath the Cross of Jesus calls us to bear witness once again to Christ's passion; and I Will Sing of My Redeemer unites us as Christians to affirm our faith in the Christ of the cross. The music is inspired, accessible, and easily prepared by choirs of all sizes, and the dramatic narrative allows for one or more readers.
For Easter Sunday, Crown Him Lord by Susan Naylor Callaway is an excellent choice. Originally published in 1998, the familiar Easter hymns and compelling new songs are just as moving today. From the darkness of the crucifixion to the triumph of the resurrection, “Crown Him Lord†is an easily-prepared cantata which presents the Easter message in a fresh and meaningful way.
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.