Litanei: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Franz Schubert / Arranged by John Leavitt
Item: 35-PK00261218
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Description
Schubert's famous art song has been adapted for use with unison chorus accompanied by keyboard or the optional strings, creating an excellent opportunity to develop vocal tone, expression and diction. Duration: ca. 3:00.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00261218
More about this title
About the Artist: Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was an Austrian composer whose gift for melody remains unmatched in the song literature. Though he died at 31, he created over 600 works, including some of the most performed lieder in concert halls and rehearsal rooms today. His ability to marry simple, singable lines with profound emotional depth makes his music ideal for choral adaptation.
Schubert's songs continue to teach singers about phrasing, text interpretation, and the marriage of words to music. His melodies sit naturally in the voice, which is why educators repeatedly turn to his work as a bridge between solo and choral repertoire.
Why we love this
Leavitt's arrangement transforms Schubert's intimate lied into something that works beautifully in a choral setting while preserving what makes the original so compelling. The unison voicing keeps singers focused on tone and expression rather than part-singing logistics, and the optional strings let you scale the accompaniment to match your ensemble's resources.
What to expect
Reverent and flowing, with the character of intimate prayer set to music. The melody carries a gentle, almost processional quality that invites singers to focus on individual tone quality while blending into something unified and warm.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves choirs that want to expand beyond typical unison repertoire into art song territory without requiring complex voicing. It works equally well for concert choirs looking for a shorter, accessible piece and for chamber choirs seeking something with textural depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrases with the natural contours of the text rather than breathing at barlines; this will give the performance the lyrical quality Schubert intended.
- Balance vocal intensity carefully so the chorus sounds unified without sounding forced; this piece rewards restraint and warmth over volume.
- If using strings, ensure the keyboard and strings lock rhythmically during runs and transitions, especially in accompaniment figures that support the vocal line.
- Pay close attention to vowel consistency across the ensemble during sustained notes; Schubert's melodies demand purity of tone to sing well.
How to use it
This pairs naturally on a concert with other Schubert arrangements or Romantic-era vocal music, offering audiences a recognizable, deeply satisfying work at modest performance length. Its contemplative mood also works well as a moment of contrast in a mixed program, or as part of a religious or memorial service context.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining vocal tone through long phrases without wobbling or forcing
- Shaping melody with text inflection rather than musical artifice
- Balancing unison blend while maintaining individual voice quality
- Responding to subtle dynamic and expressive markings across an ensemble
- Coordinating with instrumental accompaniment (keyboard and optional strings)