Product Overview
Some years back, during a series of retreats, prayerful reflection on the “servant passages” from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is. 40-53) coalesced into what would become an eight-movement cantata entitled: The Servant of Yahweh.
“How Beautiful on the Mountain” represents movement three of that larger work - a Lenten cantata highlighting key aspects of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, viewed through the lens of the aforementioned servant passages. “How Beautiful on the Mountain” (from Is.52 ff) attempts to capture in two sections the joyful vision of God's people being led back to Zion from exile in Babylon. Israel's deliverer is near, proclaiming peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, leading Israel back to Jerusalem. The New Testament likewise speaks of deliverance from bondage – bondage from sin, and healing of the breach between God and humanity. It is through the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus that this deliverance is accomplished. In both cases, there is cause for great joy.
Musically, movement from the more subdued preface (part 1) to the festive Latin groove (part 2) conveys the transition from journey to jubilation. The present rendition, written for SATB choir and piano with optional flute and oboe marks the latest evolution in the work's arrangement history. The original accompaniment included guitar, bass, drum, flute and electric violin. However, in 2009, through a collaboration with bassist/arranger, Perry Orfanella, a full orchestral score was developed. Most recently, in order to make the piece more accessible to church choirs and other choral groups, Phil Sims (musician/arranger and partner of Imagine Music Publishing) reduced the orchestral score and completed the present arrangement for piano and SATB choir
