An extended anthem for SATB mixed voices, soprano solo, brass sextet (3 trumpets, horn, 2 trombones), percussion (timpani, vibraphone, celeste), and organ, composed for the dedication of the Flentrop organ on September 19, 1965. Purchase includes PDFs of full score, choral score, and instrumental parts. Permission is granted to make sufficient number of copies of the choral scores for your church or institution.
Hail, universal Lord! begins with poetry from John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost in the expert hands of mystic and composer Peter Hallock. Poetry, the language of the soul, is the preferred language of choice for mystics. When poetry like Milton’s is in the intuitive care of a mystic and composer like Hallock, the combined opus allows the listener to experience both—poetry and music—in a new, varied, unified way. This builds for the listener new avenues toward greater comprehension, understanding, emotion, and feeling—in essence, inscribing the opus on both mind and heart. —Jason A. Anderson
Lyrics
Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still to give us only good;
And if the night hath gathered aught of evil or concealed
Disperse it as now the light dispels the dark.
There are thy glorious works, parent of good Almighty,
Thine this universal frame, thus wondrous fair:
Thyself how wondrous then!
Speak ye, who best can tell, ye sons of light,
Angels, for ye behold him, ye sons of light for, for ye behold him
And with songs and choral symphonies day without night.
Circle his throne rejoicing
On earth join all ye creatures to extol him first, him last, him midst and without end.
John Milton (1608-1674)
