• Premiere: November 7, 2007 / Andrew Ryker, baritone; Brett Hodgdon, piano / Church of St. John the Evangelist /Boston

• Instrumentation: Medium Voice & Piano 

• Duration: 9'

• Texts: collected by William Walker in The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion

Program Note

My first songs - completed in 2007 in Newton, Massachusetts - are four settings of familiar hymn tunes from William Walker's The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. 

Wondrous Love - Text attributed to Alexander Means (1801-1883); Tune attributed to "Christopher."  Likely the most familiar in the set, this song develops in a canon. The voice trails the accompaniment by a measure in each successive verse, creating a simple counterpoint. 

Star in the East - Text by Reginald Heber (1783 - 1826) This Christmas song utilizes a flowing accompianment reminiscent of the English choral tradition.  

Consolation - Text by Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748), tune attributed to "Dean."  The tune and a countermelody switch positions and weave through the accompaniment in this morning prayer.

Holy Manna - Text by George Atkins (1793-1827); Tune by William More.  This song captures the rollicking nature of a revival-type atmosphere, complete with hints of bluegrass and an at-times bombastic accompaniment.