Review

Traditional
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today: for Brass Quintet

Arranged by Jerald R Juhnke

2 b-flat trumpets, horn in F, trombone, tuba

Vancouver, BC, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2023
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

John Wesley and his younger brother Charles were significant leaders of the early Methodist movement (Wesleyan Theology.) Charles was the composer of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” that is one of the cornerstones of Easter worship, including the ‘alleluias.” The now familiar call and response Easter greeting is derived from the hymn: ‘Alleluia! He is risen!” “Alleluia! He is risen indeed!"

John Wesley published over 4,500 hymns, the majority of them written for his church choir,  including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Master brass arranger/bass trombonist Jerald R. Juhnke has done it again; he has created a very interesting arrangement of this hymn, not an easy task, indeed! It is composed in D major and has very clever transitions and harmonies that to my “very tired-of cliché hymn arrangements” ear is a joy to hear. Trumpets parts are in Bb. There should be no problems with range, as most parts are written within the confines of the staff. Tuning in D will cause problems for your average brass quintet, but it is well worth it. Rehearsal letter D will require some serious individual practice with the very chromatic writing. One bonus: The section from letter C to D could be used as a separate fanfare. Buy it and you will have a very refreshing addition to your Easter worship next year.