Nettleton (An American Hymn Tune Sampler, No. 5)

This very pretty work comes from "An American Hymn Tune Sampler" - Preludes on Folk Hymns. The collection has recently been published by The Sacred Music Press, and edited by our own Carson Cooman.

Bernard Wayne Sanders was born in 1957 in Wisconsin, and educated at St. Norbert College, Wichita State University, and the Hochschule fur Musik in Hamburg. He has been active as a church musician in Germany since 1974. As a composer, he has published many works, including the prize-winning piece "Ornament of Grace," sponsored by the American Guild of Organists as part of a performance by organists worldwide in 2008.

This lovely work is based upon the famous hymn-tune "Nettleton," which is usually associated with the words, "Come, thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy praise."

The music was composed in 1825 by Asahel Nettleton (1783-1843), a well-known Connecticut evangelist, and the words written by Robert Robinson (1735-1752).

This is a sweet and naturally-flowing setting. Every note is exactly where it belongs, and nothing is wasted. The composer gives the "performance indication" as "In quiet splendor," and I think that just about says it all.

The Swell Hautboy and tremulant, with the addition of the 8 Stopped Diapason carries the solo line nicely.

I haven't looked at anything else in the book, but I have a feeling that there are probably other works of quality in the collection.

A photo of Bernard Wayne Sanders is attached below.