Spirituals for Organ Wednesday, August 02, 2023
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Spirituals for Organ (Vibrant Settings with Jazz Spirit) arr. Marianne Kim
The music and lyrics of African American spirituals form a rich tradition that has become an important part of Christian worship across the world. They were strong expressions of deep religious faith in the midst of tremendous adversity, and it is through that resonance that they speak powerfully to the hearts of Christians today. Marianne Kim’s organ music always draws on jazz, blues, and gospel elements-styles that (because of their shared African American roots) are especially effective when applied to spirituals. These pieces will be useful as preludes, offertories, and postludes. Titles include: “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Ain’t-a That Good News,” “Fix Me, Jesus,” “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley,” “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “My Lord, What a Morning,” “Steal Away,” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
Spirituals for Keyboard arr. Charles Callahan
Classic spirituals. Includes: He Rose ASCENSIUS There Is a Balm in Gilead BALM IN GILEAD Behold That Star BEHOLD THAT STAR Kum Ba Yah KUM BA YAH/DESMOND Go, Tell It on the Mountain GO TELL IT Lord, I Want to Be a Christian I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN Let Us Break Bread Together LET US BREAK BREAD Steal Away to Jesus STEAL AWAY Swing Low, Sweet Chariot SWING LOW Were You There WERE YOU THERE
That Promised Land arr. David Kidwell
Stemming from vast joys and monumental sorrows deeply rooted in history, African American spirituals compose much of today’s strongest American sacred repertoire. David Kidwell prepared ten passionate arrangements for organ that express the faith and hope of the spirituals in instrumental form. Contained within the volume are several well-known spirituals as well as a few less-familiar tunes. Titles include: “I Woke Up This Morning,” “Deep River,” “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” “Give Me Jesus,” “Ride On, King Jesus,” “Steal Away,” “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long,” “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” “Were You There?,” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain.”
Great Day! (Seven Spirituals for Organ) arr. Robert J. Powell
Powell has arranged seven familiar African-American Spirituals that can be used throughout the church year. Titles include: “Deep River,” “Great Day!,” “I’ve Got a Robe,” “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “Steal Away to Jesus,” and “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.”
Spirituals for Manuals Only or Keyboard arr. Edwin T. Childs
A wonderful compilation of well-known spirituals for manuals-only organ! Each setting in this diverse collection offers rich and interesting treatment of the traditional harmonies. A joy for every organist! Tunes include: “Balm in Gilead,” “Bread Bread Together,” “Burleigh,” “Calvary,” “Give Me Jesus,” “Jesus Lifted Me,” “McKee,” “Sojourner,” “Sufferer,” “This Joy,” “Wade in the Water,” “Weary Land,” and “Were You There.”
Spirituals for Organ (Artistic Expressions of Faith and Joy) arr. Mark Hayes/ed. Marvin Gaspard
Mark Hayes’ artistic expressions of faith and joy once again grace the organ rack, this time thanks to the care of Marvin Gaspard. These spiritual arrangements draw on the jazz, blues, and gospel side of Mark’s writing, and the results overflow with passion and character. The collection provides suitable selections for preludes, offertories, and postludes throughout the year. Titles include: “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?,” “Go Down, Moses,” “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” “Here’s One,” “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” and “Wayfaring Stranger.”
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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.