This Night

This Night is a Christmas hymn that was originally written for Minneapolis-based choir VocalEssence. This arrangement for band was created for Alex Kaminsky and the VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band. The text for the choral version is a setting of the text Dies ist die Nacht, da mir erschienen, (this night is a wondrous revelation), which was written in 1683 by Caspar Friedrich Nachtenhofer. I used an English translation of the original German poem by Anna B. Hoppe from 1922, which also serves as the text for the Christmas hymn of the same name, commonly set to the tune O Dass Ich Tausen Zungen, written by Johann B. Konig in 1738. I chose this text because of the beautifully vivid imagery and metaphors for light in the poetry, and because I really enjoy the simple, common rhyme and phrase structure that encouraged me to write simple, clear music. This night a wondrous revelation Makes known to me God's love and grace; The Child that merits adoration Brings light to our benighted race; And though a thousand suns did shine, Still brighter were that Light divine. The Sun of Grace for thee is beaming; Rejoice, my soul, in Jesus' birth! The light from yonder manger streaming Sends forth its rays o'er all the earth. It drive the night of sin away And turns our darkness into day. This Light, which all thy gloom can banish, The bliss of heaven glorifies; When sun and moon and stars shall vanish, Its rays shall still illume the skies. This light through all eternity Thy heaven and all to thee shall be.