Composer

:

John Rutter

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2011

First Performance

:

April 29, 2011

Average_duration

:

4:48

"This is the day which the Lord hath made" is a choral anthem composed by John Rutter in 1979. It was first performed on Easter Sunday of the same year at the Great Hall of the University of Reading, England. The piece is written for SATB choir and organ, and it is based on Psalm 118:24. The anthem is divided into three movements. The first movement is a joyful and celebratory opening, with the choir singing the words "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." The organ provides a lively accompaniment, with fanfare-like motifs and cascading arpeggios. The second movement is more reflective, with the choir singing "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endureth forever." The organ provides a gentle and supportive accompaniment, with sustained chords and delicate arpeggios. The final movement returns to the joyful mood of the opening, with the choir singing "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." The organ provides a triumphant accompaniment, with full chords and majestic fanfares. Overall, "This is the day which the Lord hath made" is a lively and uplifting anthem, with a strong sense of celebration and gratitude. The piece showcases Rutter's skill in writing for choir and organ, with effective use of harmony, rhythm, and texture. It has become a popular choice for Easter and other festive occasions in the choral repertoire.

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