Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens (James Leach)

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Revision as of 04:46, 23 January 2022 by BarryJ (talk | contribs) (Added No. 9)
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Whole work

  • (Posted 2021-12-11)  CPDL #67107:  Network.png
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-11).   Score information: A4, 51 pages, 63.48 MB   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes: Scan of the 48-page score, from IMSLP.

1. Chorus: Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens

  • (Posted 2021-12-13)  CPDL #67117:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-13).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 86 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Counter-Tenor-Bass (melody in Tenor), with 2 Violins, 2 Oboes, and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

2. Trio: The Lord doth execute the judgment

  • (Posted 2021-12-14)  CPDL #67121:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-14).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 78 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Treble-Bass with Basso continuo accompaniment; 2 violins introduction and ending. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

3. Chorus: Then if thou draw out thy soul

  • (Posted 2021-12-19)  CPDL #67169:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-19).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 152 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Counter-Tenor-Bass (melody in Tenor), with 2 Violins and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

4. Counter solo: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers

  • (Posted 2021-12-21)  CPDL #67186:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-21).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 91 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Solo Counter, with 2 Violins, 2 Oboes, and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

5. Chorus: The blessing of him that was ready to perish

  • (Posted 2021-12-22)  CPDL #67200:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-22).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 64 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Counter-Tenor-Bass (melody in Tenor), with 2 Violins and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

6. Duet: He that hath pity upon the poor

  • (Posted 2021-12-23)  CPDL #67207:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-23).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 53 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Counter–Tenor with Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

7. Chorus: Let your light so shine

  • (Posted 2021-12-25)  CPDL #67224:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-25).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 120 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Counter-Tenor-Bass (melody in Tenor), with 2 Violins and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

8. Trio: God is not unrighteous

  • (Posted 2021-12-29)  CPDL #67261:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2021-12-29).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 78 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Treble-Bass with Basso continuo accompaniment; 2 violins introduction and an interlude in the middle. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

9. Chorus: He hath dispersed abroad

  • (Posted 2022-01-23)  CPDL #67696:         
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2022-01-23).   Score information: A4, 7 pages, 116 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Scored for Treble-Counter-Tenor-Bass (melody in Tenor), with 2 Violins and Basso continuo accompaniment. Transcribed from A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, 1798.

General Information

Title: Asylum. Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens
Composer: James Leach
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 1-8vv   Voicings: SATB or SATB.SATB, with two TrTrB trios, a CT duet, a Counter solo, and a Bass solo.
Genre: SacredOratorioAnthem

Language: English
Instruments: Mixed ensemble, Basso continuo

First published: 1798 in A Collection of Hymn Tunes and Anthems, no. 24, p. 178
Description: Titled Asylum in 1798. Work in eleven sections; words from various Bible passages, sometimes with additional text by an unknown author.

  • 1a. (Chorus) – 4 vo. (Tr C T B). Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens (Deut. 10:14). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC), with instr. intro.
  • 1b. Andante – 4 vo. (Tr C T B). The earth also, with all that therein is (Deut. 10:14). 5 instr. (Tr Tr Tr Tr BC)
  • 2. Trio – 3 vo. (Tr Tr B). The Lord doth execute the judgment (Deut. 10:18). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC), with instr. intro.
  • 3. Chorus – 4 vo. Treble-Contra-Tenore-Bass. Then if thou draw out thy soul (Isaiah 58:10). 3 instr. Viol-Viol-Basso organo
  • 4. Counter solo – 1 vo. Counter. Be not forgetful - I was a stranger (Heb. 13:2, Matt. 25:35-36). 5 instr. Violino 1st-Violino 2nd-Oboe 1st-Oboe 2nd-Organ, with instr. intro.
  • 5. Chorus – 4 vo. (Tr C T B). The blessing of him - For thou dost relieve (Job 29:13, alt. + add. text). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC)
  • 6. Duetto – 2 vo. (C T). He that hath pity upon the poor (Prov. 19:17). 1 instr. (BC)
  • 7. Chorus – 4 vo. (Tr C T B). Let your light so shine before men (Matt. 5:16). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC)
  • 8. Trio – 3 vo. (Tr Tr B). God is not unrighteous - Which love ye have (Heb. 6:10, alt. + add. text). 1 instr. (Tr Tr BC), with instr. intro.
  • 9. Chorus – 4 vo. (Tr C T B). He hath dispersed abroad (Ps. 112:9 (2 Cor. 9:9)). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC)
  • 10. Bass solo – 1 vo. Bass. His soul shall dwell - And thou shalt be blessed (Ps. 25:13, Luke 14:14). 3 instr. (Tr Tr BC), with instr. intro.
  • 11. (2 Choirs) – 8 vo. (Tr C T B - Tr C T B). He shall receive a kingdom … and a crown (? based on Isa. 28:5 or 62:3?). 5 instr. Viol° 1-Viol° 2-Oboe 1-Oboe 2-(Organ-BC)

Leach specified the voices in sections 3, 4, and 10. In section 3, they are specified as "Treble - Contra - Tenore - Bass"; in this section, the second vocal staff clearly has the range of a counter-tenor. In section 4, this same part is called "Counter", again with the range of a counter-tenor, what some would call "Alto" nowadays. The ranges in section 3 are also used in all the four- (or eight-) part sections: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 – probably all intended as in section 3: Treble - Contra - Tenor - Bass.

The usual convention in 1798 was to have the melody in the Tenor staff, the third staff in four-part sections – and Temperley (in The Hymn Tune Index ) assigns melody to the third staff in other works in this same publication (he doesn't deal with Asylum since it is an anthem). The melody in duet or trio sections seems to alternate between the top vocal parts.

The identification of the top line of section 3 as "Treble" makes possible the assignment of the Trio section as "Treble - Treble - Bass" and the Duet section as "Treble - Treble" (although they could be sung as "Treble - Tenor - Bass" or "Treble - Tenor").

The two sections (4 and 11) with five-part instrumentation have "Violino 1st - Violino 2nd - Oboe 1st - Oboe 2nd - Organ", and section 3 has "Viol. - Viol. - Basso organo," indicating an Organ acting as Basso continuo. Section 1a, scored for four treble instruments, is likely intended for Violin 1 - Violin 2 - Oboe 1 - Oboe 2. Other sections have two instruments in the treble range, probably for two violins.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

1. Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's,
The earth also, with all that therein is. (Deuteronomy 10:14)
2. The Lord doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow,
And loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment. (Deuteronomy 10:18)
3. Then if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry,
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning,
And thy righteousness shall be as the noon-day sun. (Isaiah 58:10)
4. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,
For some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)
I was a stranger and ye took me in;
Naked, and ye clothed me,
Sick, and ye visited me. (Matthew 25:35-36)
5. The blessing of him that was ready to perish
Shall descend upon thee,
For thou dost relieve the stranger,
And causeth the widow's heart to rejoice. (Job 29:13, altered, with additional text)
6. He that hath pity upon the poor
Lendeth unto the Lord,
And that which he hath given
Will he pay him again. (Proverbs 19:17)
7. Let your light so shine before men
That they may see your good works
And glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
8. God is not unrighteous, that
He will forget your works and labour of love,
Which love ye have showed for his name's sake,
Who have ministered unto the poor in their distress. (Hebrews 6:10, altered, with additional text)
9. He hath dispersed abroad,
And hath given to the poor;
His righteousness remaineth for ever;
His horn shall be exalted with honour. (Ps. 112:9 → 2 Corinthians 9:9))
10. His soul shall dwell at ease,
And his seed shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 25:13)
And thou shall be blessed,
For they cannot recompense thee,
But thou shall be recompensed
At the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14)
11. He shall receive a kingdom of glory,
And a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord. (? based on Isaiah 28:5 or 62:3?)