This is a book of Amens for liturgical and concert performance. Some of them are simple, even very simple, and some of them are complex, even ferociously virtuosic. All are drawn from choral works of mine which are available separately, either as PDF downloads or as print-on-demand sheet music. An indication of perhaps the most obvious tonal centres for each Amen is given to aid selection (but feel free to experiment more widely). There are also two blank manuscript pages at the back of the book for add ing your own Amens to the collection.
The Hebrew word ÒAmenÓ means both ÒtrulyÓ and Òmay it be soÓ; the last of the seven letters from the Book of Revelation echoes both meanings: ÒThese are the words of the AmenÓ. In the Gospels, Jesus often begins important sayings with the phrase (in Greek), ____ ____ ____ Ð ÒVerily [Amen] I say unto youÓ, and in JohnÕs Gospel even ____ ____ ____ ____ Ð ÒVerily, verily...Ó or ÒTruly, truly...Ó.
The final work in this volume is a complete work Ð a new edition of my 8-part double-choir motet, Amen, transposed down a semitone and with new markings for anyone wanting to perform just a section or two from the motet. Amen is based Ð at various levels ranging from the overall structure to local decoration Ð on the arching melodic fragment familiar as part of the ÔEnglish CadenceÕ. The harmonic world is that of the simple plagal or ÔAmenÕ cadence. Both these horizontal and vertical elements are thoroughly deconstructed and reconstructed. The underlay is suggested (there was no underlay in the original edition, which can be heard in a recording by TONUS PEREGRINUS on Hyperion Records) and may be altered to suit.
Amen and Amen.
Antony Pitts
31.xii.2021