Like a River Glorious / Bass Clef Instrument
This arrangement begins with several bars of a 5-note motif in the piano that reappears during the transitions, key change, and final ending. The harmonies toggle between familiar (or traditional), and added-tone chords and substitute harmonies. The keys are lowered from the typical standard “F” in a traditional hymnal, to D, modulating to E-flat, so that all voices can easily adapt to the melody. Instrumental parts are laid on top of the piano as a coverlet, and heighten the glories of the final stanza by flipping the alto and soprano line, giving the melody to the lower instruments, and an obbligato to the upper instruments. The final moments of the piece finish with a ritard beginning at the last measure so that the voices don’t tire too early. The pianist should keep in mind obvious rubato and contour phrasing throughout in order to infuse beautiful musicianship for all involved.