Review of Testament of Praise: A Celebration of Faith

Testament of Praise: A Celebration of Faith
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Joseph Martin
Harold Flammer Music/Shawnee Press, cat. No. A8581, SATB

www.shawneepress.com
This collection was commissioned to celebrate the bicentennial of First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, PA, and to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley. The collection includes six Wesley hymn texts chosen for their messages: worship, love, thanksgiving, service, life, and grace, all subjects that occur throughout Wesley's hymns.

The book works as both a collection of individual anthems and as an extended festival work. It includes suggestions for presenting the work, with a service plan, litanies, narration, and banners.

The instrumental prelude leads to the opening vocal medley, including references to commonly used tunes of "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above," "Sing with Glad Anticipation," "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" and "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing." An original for including the congregational part of "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" is included in the back of the book. The sections that follow are settings of:

• "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," using BUNESSAN ("Morning Has Broken")
  
• "Thankful for Our Every Blessing," with original music by Martin
  
• A Call to Service: "A Charge to Keep I Have" and "The Vigilance Our Lord Demands" with original music by Martin. This music has a rather marziale quality to it. It works well with the text.
  
• "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" with original music by Martin that shows his gifts as a melodist and an arranger. Beautiful phrases and harmonies with an effective accompaniment. This setting will be a favorite of your people and choir.
  
• "And Can It Be" to Campbells familiar SAGINA tune. This tune from our hymnal is challenging for some congregations, but it has become the preferred tune for this text, possibly Wesley's greatest. The tune is a difficult one to set chorally, but Martin has done so.

This collection would contribute to an excellent choir presentation in honor of Wesley's birthday on December 18. Perhaps United Methodist choirs and congregations in a community could come together in celebration sometime during the year. An alternative to the December birthday might be Heritage Sunday.