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Three Hymns by various composers, arranged for horn and piano by John Jay Hilfiger. Brassworks 4 Publishing, 461 Sunrise Parkway,
Farmington, NM 87401: www.brassworks4.com. BW365, 2006, $12.00.
The three hymns in this collection are "Come Thou Almighty King," "For the Beauty of the Earth,"
and "Oh, Worship the King." Each hymn receives a different setting. The first hymn begins with a four-measure introduction,
followed by a verse with the melody in the keyboard and the horn playing countermelody. Next comes a verse with the horn
on the melody, and then the hymn ends with a four-measure tag resembling the intro. The second hymn setting is set as a chorale-prelude,
with one verse of the melody played by horn in individual phrases separated by interludes on the keyboard. The third hymn
setting provides three verses with trading of the melody between instruments and some ornaments written in. In all, the settings
fall into the traditional vein, with some nice variety and a very reasonable range for younger players with a decent high
end (b-flat to g'', wth the vast majority above f'). The keyboard part would work well on either piano or organ (basic three-
and four-part writing), and I can see using these arrangements in church settings as preludes, postludes, or service music,
especially in circumstances where there is little rehearsal time, though this will obviously depend on the level and experience
of the players involved. JS
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