Immortal Invisible

I love this old Welsh hymn tune.

The text has a very mysterious quality to it.

"Immortal, Invisible, God only wise.

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days.

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise."

So when I set this tune for handbells I began the piece with a rather mysterious sound with the lower bells played quietly with mallets. The tune is then played in a mode - not quite minor, not quite major, which adds to the mysterious sound. Later the tune is played in a bright major key before it returns the the modal quality of the beginning. It ends with exciting shakes of big chords to the phrase "Thy great Name we praise!"

You can hear it by clicking on the link below.

http://www.beckenhorstpress.com/lister.asp?qry=arranger&qryTitle=R.+Lyndel+Littleton&qryStr=183

God of Our Fathers

God of Our Fathers is a challenging piece - Level 4. It has marts, mart lifts, key changes, shakes, triplets against duplets and my favorite, eighth note triplets against quarter note triplets. Ooooo, it is so exciting to hear. It is published by Alfred music. You can purchase it from them or from www.handbellworld.com

I found this listing of God of Our Fathers in a church order of worship from First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa.

I always enjoy seeing that someone has played one of my pieces in worship or in a concert.

Here's the listing from Alfred

God of Our Fathers

Arr. R. Lyndel Littleton

ITEM: 00-18569

UPC: 038081169415

PRICE: $3.50

SERIES: Alfred Handbell Series

CATEGORY: Handbell Music

VOICING: 3-5 Octaves

LEVEL: 4 (Advanced Ringers)
A dynamic and energetic arrangement of the "National Hymn" for 3-5 octaves handbell choir. Recurring triplet figure recalls the trumpets that herald each verse of the hymn. Appropriate for church, school and festivals. Especially useful for patriotic events.