Johann Franck wrote I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say in the 17th century. The music for his hymn is unusual, because it has a minor key verse and major key refrain. The contrast reflects on how the difficulties of life (minor key) are answered by the love of the Savior (major key). I heard …
Tag: 2 octaves
Smaller handbell choirs typically have two to three octaves of handbells. The range means that just about every chord can be filled in to the lowest available note without creating objectionable interactions between low notes.
How Great Thou Art (O STORE GUD) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)
Worshipers love the grandness of the Swedish hymn How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg. English-speaking congregants have had the joy of singing it because of Stuart Hine’s translation work. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made. I see the stars, I hear the …
Tchaikovsky – The Seasons (Opus 37a) – (Handbells, Two Octaves, Level 3 to 5+)
Nikolay Bernard, the editor of the music magazine Nouvellist, commissioned Tchaikovsky to write a suite of twelve piano solos. They were released, in turn, each month of 1876. Because of the year-round theme, the pieces in this collection were entitled The Seasons, and they have remained gems in the piano repertoire. These delightful works are …
Let Us Break Bread Together (BREAK BREAD TOGETHER) (Handbells, 2 to 3 octaves, Level 2)
The spiritual Let Us Break Bread Together has simple, yet profound words. It’s a communion song that puts absolute and everlasting reliance on the mercy and grace of God. Our setting for two to three octaves of handbells will bring a peaceful touch to your service or music presentation. Let us break bread together on …
Kelvingrove (Handbells, 2-3 octaves, Level 2)
KELVINGROVE is an old Scottish tune. Where it appears in hymnals, it usually is under the title “The Summons”. Historically, though, it’s a love song sung by a soldier to his love as he strolls with her one last time before he heads to battle. Here are the first and last verses of the folk …
Meditation (Handbells, 2-3 and 3-5 octaves, Level 2)
Here’s a meditative piece which you can play at any time when a thoughtful, contemplative atmosphere is planned. Formerly named “Lenten Piece”, Meditation actually can be used for much, much more than its original concept! The video below was produced by Tintabulations from Reno-Sparks, Nevada. We think they’ve done a marvelous interpretation! Handbells (two, three, …
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