Northern Spire
the music of Philip Spaeth
If Today You Hear God's Voice
for Cantor, Choir, Assembly, and Piano (2004)
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premiered 2004
The Church of St. Peter
Saratoga Springs, NY
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Options included for use as hymn or responsorial Psalm
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About If Today You Hear God's Voice:
If Today You Hear God's Voice (2004) was originally composed as a refrain-verse hymn based on Psalm 95, but I have since adapted it to work also as a responsorial Psalm. This score includes the original metered verses with the text paraphrased from Psalm 95, which are intended for use when this piece is sung as a hymn. It also includes two sets of unmetered verses, using direct English translations of the Psalms (Revised Grail translation), which are intended for use when this piece is sung as a responsorial Psalm. These two unmetered verse sets come from Psalm 95 and Psalm 90, the two sets of Psalm verses most commonly associated with the Refrain, "If today you hear God's voice..." in the Lectionary for Mass, so that the same Refrain can be used with any of these sets of verses.
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This piece has received wide praise from parishioners in my community of St. Peter's Church in Saratoga Springs, NY, where I serve as Music Director, and people tell me that they really connect with the music and text, whether it is sung as a hymn or as a responsorial Psalm. I believe it would be a welcome addition to any parish's repertoire.
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Click on the title page image above to view a sample score.
Performance History
September 2004
world premiere
The Church of St. Peter, Saratoga Springs, NY
Philip Spaeth, Music Director
Programmed for various Sundays since 2004
The Church of St. Peter, Saratoga Springs, NY
Philip Spaeth, Music Director