Musical contribution – June 2021

Dank sei Dir, Herr (‘Thanks Be To Thee’)                                                         G.F. Händel (1685-1759)

(LiVE Sample Set: Amsterdam, Vater-Müller)

I have received numerous requests for an organ rendition of Händel’s Dank sei Dir, Herr (‘Thanks Be To Thee’), but have not been able to make it happen until now. As you see, your wish is our command!

Some sources have claimed that this world-renowned song is featured in the cantata Con Stromenti, while others say it is a loose adaptation of the Largo from the opera Xerxes (‘Serse’). Others again maintain the work is not really by Händel at all, but whoever composed it, let’s just enjoy it. There have been many different renditions of this song, which is hugely popular with choirs everywhere.

This month, we’ve arranged it for the organ, which suits the song perfectly. I have written the vocal portion on a separate stave. The composition lends itself well to the cantus firmus technique. It is up to you to decide whether you use a different or the same stop for each stanza. Since the vocals are generally stronger when the theme starts up for the last time, we left out the cantus firmus this time.

If you have any requests or a good idea you would like to share, feel free to get in touch.

Warm regards,

André van Vliet