What Wondrous Love Is This (see Bonustrax 00102360): Choral Instrumental Pak
By American Folk Hymn / Arranged by Benjamin Harlan
Item: 35-PK00251324
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Description
Harlan's setting of this classic folk hymn is simple, yet full of emotion and meaning. You will find it useful not only for Holy
Week services, but also for communion and any service of the cross.
Duration: ca.1:50.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00251324
More about this title
About the Composer: American Folk Hymn
American folk hymns emerged from the spiritual traditions of early American settlers, blending European hymn texts with melodies rooted in the landscape and experiences of a developing nation. These hymns became foundational to American sacred music, passed down through generations in churches, camp meetings, and community gatherings, and continue to resonate because they speak to universal human longings with directness and authenticity.
"What Wondrous Love Is This" stands among the most enduring of these folk hymns, its melody and text capturing a contemplative depth that has made it a staple of Christian worship across centuries and denominations. The hymn's continued presence in concert and liturgical settings reflects its power to transcend its humble origins and touch listeners across cultures and belief systems.
Why we love this
Benjamin Harlan's orchestration respects the hymn's inherent beauty while providing enough harmonic and textural support to make it feel fresh in a concert setting. The emotional restraint here is precisely the point; rather than dressing up the tune, Harlan lets the melody and the words do the heavy lifting, which tends to land harder with audiences than more elaborate treatments.
What to expect
Quiet introspection suffused with devotion. The harmonic language feels timeless; there's no artifice here, just a melody that seems to have always existed settling over warm orchestral sonorities. The brevity only deepens the impact, leaving listeners in a reflective space.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves choirs preparing sacred repertoire for worship services, concerts, or both. It works equally well in church choirs seeking a short, meaningful piece for Holy Week or Easter, and in school or community choirs expanding their hymn literature.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with long, unhurried phrases; resist the urge to rush through the text, even though the piece is brief. Let the harmonies underneath have room to breathe.
- Balance the choir and orchestra so the voices remain the primary focus. This arrangement works best when the accompaniment colors rather than competes.
- Emphasize clarity in text projection without sacrificing the contemplative mood. Diction should be reverent but not stiff.
How to use it
Slot this into a larger sacred concert as a moment of genuine repose, or open a service of lessons and carols with it to establish a contemplative tone. Its compact length makes it ideal for pairing with longer works or for standing alone as a complete musical statement on communion or penitential themes.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long melodic lines with consistent tone and phrasing
- Balancing ensemble texture between voices and accompaniment
- Interpreting text with reverence while maintaining musical forward motion
- Intonation in slower harmonic contexts where pitch impurities are exposed