In Deepest Night Above the Earth

Text and music convincingly intertwine in this effective Christmas piece. Ridge's lyrics pair the angels' call to the shepherds to go see the newborn King to the similar call we still experience two thousand years later. Ottományi's original hymn tune evokes the ancient past of those shepherds through its scoring for harp (or piano imitating a harp), a common pastoral topic, and its use of modality (meant to represent the darker elements of the Incarnation Narrative, such as the hardships the Holy Family endured). It is lushly scored for SSATB choir, accompanied by harp (or piano) and cello. A hymn version is also included when assembly singing is desired.