Author: Hilton Kean Jones

Composer and performer, retired college music professor, lyricist.

Midweek Hymn: NCH #572 Let My People Go!

This week’s Midweek Hymn is “When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land — Let My People Go!” In the New Century Hymnal it’s 572 (with 4 verses). In Hymnary.org it’s page https://hymnary.org/hymn/LUYH2013/42 with 5 verses. I’m doing 5 verses, so NCH folk will need to repeat one of the verses.

This hymn is chosen for today because it foreshadows Rev. Well’s coming Corona Sabbath 26 reflection based on the story of the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea: Exodus 14:19-31.

“The Egyptians are drowned. What do we have to let go of, what has to be destroyed, so that we can be truly free?” — Rev. Wells

Sunday Morning Music: Elephants Piss in Fear

The title of this movement from Time Grown Old – Images of the Mahabharata, that I composed back 1995, is a literal translation of an actual phrase from the Mahabharata. The entire four movements form a concerto for pipe organ, percussion, and electronic sound. This recording is me as organist, with the University of South Florida Percussion Ensemble, Robert McCormick, Director. It was recorded recorded at the Bayshore Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida.

To listen to today’s Sunday Morning Music, click HERE.

If you decide later you’d like to listen to all four movements, click HERE. Should you listen to the entire piece, please note that movement 2 begins EXTREMELY softly.

Midweek Hymn: NCH #25 O God, Our Help in Ages Past (hymn w/descants plus 3 chorale preludes on hymn)

The tune name of this famous Hymn is St Anne. The words are equally famous: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” Seems like an appropriate text for these days.

This rendition has all 6 verses as found in NCH #25. There’s a very short intro and the first verse begins when the trumpet enters. Hang on to your part because starting in verse 3 the descants begin (there’s 4 verses with descants)!

Here’s a link to three chorale preludes for solo piano I composed a couple years ago that are based on ST ANNE. They’re audio streaming (nothing to download). You can hear the famous melody used in various ways. For instance, in the slow movement, it’s the top notes of the accompaniment.

(To listen to preludes, click on following link, then the “play” button)
https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/3-preludes-on-st-anne-for-solo

And…you’re welcome to download the score HERE, for free. Of course, every composer hopes maybe somebody will feel like playing a piece if there’s a free score on offer!