Composer's Note:
The intent behind this arrangement is to capture the stillness and patience of the Advent season, while reflecting on the pre-Christ believers who were waiting for a promised Messiah. The stillness of the drone embodies the seemingly endless wait, and the minor clusters in measures 24 and 37 are intended to represent the suffering and uncertainty they expereinced. This is contrasted by the forte A major 'rejoice' at measure 34-35 as the encouragement to remain in faith and hope in a promise that is sure to be fulfilled.
Historical Context:
The haunting strains of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel originated in eighth- and ninth-century European monastic traditions, where Benedictine communities chanted the ancient “O Antiphons” in Advent’s final week. Sung at Vespers from December 17 to 23, these seven poetic invocations summon the Messiah via Old Testament titles: O Wisdom, O Lord of Might, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring, O King of Nations, and O Emmanuel (“God with us”). Each deepens Advent’s longing for Christ’s arrival.
By the 18th century, the antiphons formed a single Latin hymn, preserving its yearning essence. It merges Gregorian chant’s solemnity with exile and redemption themes, echoing Israel’s Babylonian lament.
In the Victorian era, Anglican priest John Mason Neale revived it by translating the Latin into English for his 1851 Medieval Hymns and Sequences. His version kept the original’s rhythm while adding direct lyricism that bridged denominations. Matched with the 15th-century French Veni Emmanuel tune—from a Lisbon manuscript tied to funerals—it became an enduring Advent favorite. Somber minor-key verses yield to the bright refrain “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel,” blending waiting’s pain with redemption’s hope.
Rehearsal Notes:
The drone should be a unified, simple sound, and the clusters should be lingered upon and enjoyed for their dissonance - no need to rush.
Text:
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadow put to flight.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
