America, the Land of Liberty is currently unavailable

About this arrangement

Concert Band & optional SATB Choir SKU: IG.CBW2210 Composed by Michael Francis Smith. Score and Parts. Imagine Music Publishing #CBW2210. Published by Imagine Music Publishing (IG.CBW2210). 6.75 x 10.5 inches.Some years back, during a series of retreats, prayerful reflection on the “servantpassages from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is. 40-53) coalesced into what wouldbecome an eight-movement cantata entitled: The Servant of Yahweh.“How Beautiful on the Mountain represents movement three of that larger work - aLenten 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 thejoyful vision of God's people being led back to Zion from exile in Babylon. Israel'sdeliverer is near, proclaiming peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, leadingIsrael back to Jerusalem. The New Testament likewise speaks of deliverance frombondage – bondage from sin, and healing of the breach between God and humanity. It isthrough the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus that this deliverance isaccomplished. 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 oboemarks the latest evolution in the work's arrangement history. The originalaccompaniment included guitar, bass, drum, flute and electric violin. However, in 2009,through a collaboration with bassist/arranger, Perry Orfanella, a full orchestral score wasdeveloped. Most recently, in order to make the piece more accessible to church choirsand other choral groups, Phil Sims (musician/arranger and partner of Imagine MusicPublishing) reduced the orchestral score and completed the present arrangement forpiano and SATB choir.