Hallelujah, What A Savior!: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Philip Bliss / Arranged by Keith Christopher
Item: 35-PK00210059
$60.00
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Description
This perennial Easter text is given new life with an original tune and setting. Approriate for Good Friday, as well. Duration: ca. 5:30.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00210059
More about this title
About the Composer: Philip Bliss
Philip Bliss (1838–1876) shaped American hymn writing during the post-Civil War era, composing over 1,200 works for worship and evangelistic settings. His gift lay in crafting melodies that lodged themselves in congregational memory while maintaining musical integrity, bridging the gap between folk accessibility and artistic substance. Bliss's legacy rests not only on his compositions but on his belief that great hymn texts deserved great melodies to carry them forward.
Why we love this
Keith Christopher's orchestration honors the hymnic foundation while breathing contemporary energy into this timeless Easter declaration. The five-and-a-half-minute arc gives singers and instrumentalists space to build genuine emotional intensity rather than rushing through a familiar text, making this an earned celebration rather than a rushed obligation.
What to expect
The piece embodies the paradox of celebration tempered by reverence. Bliss's melody carries an inherent dignity and forward momentum, while Christopher's orchestration honors the gravity of the text without sacrificing its joyful proclamation. You'll feel the tension between restraint and exultation throughout.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a substantial Easter offering that works equally well for Good Friday observance will find this setting strikes an honest emotional tone. Directors who want their ensemble to engage both vocally and spiritually, not merely check off a holiday obligation, should prioritize this arrangement.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choir's harmonic foundation with instrumental color; the accompaniment should enhance rather than overshadow vocal lines, especially in quieter passages that lead toward the climax.
- Shape the text with care, allowing "Hallelujah" to land with conviction each time it appears. Resist the urge to nail every occurrence identically; variation in attack and release keeps the affirmation fresh across the duration.
- Let your orchestra invest in the meter and groove; when rhythm section and winds lock in with genuine commitment, the choir's energy lifts naturally without extra pushing from the conductor.
How to use it
This works as a centerpiece for Easter Sunday worship or as the anchor for a Good Friday service structured around testimonies and musical witness. Its five-and-a-half-minute length makes it substantial enough to stand alone while remaining flexible enough to precede or follow other pieces in a larger liturgical program.
Skills your students will build
- Singing text-driven harmony that supports proclamation rather than mere technical display
- Coordinating with a full instrumental ensemble while maintaining vocal independence
- Executing dynamic control across an extended arc, from reflection to affirmation
- Interpreting period-appropriate hymn phrasing within a contemporary arrangement