VESPER HYMN (Bortnianski)

Arranger: John A. Stevenson

(no biographical information available about John A. Stevenson.) Go to person page >

Composer: Dimitri S. Bortnianski

Dimitri Stepanovitch Bortniansky (1751-1825) Ukraine 1751-1825 Born in Glukhov, Ukraine, he joined the imperial choir at age 8 and studied with Galuppi, who later took the lad with him to Italy, where he studied for 10 years, becoming a composer, harpsichordist, and conductor. While in Italy he composed several operas and other instrumental music, composing more operas and music later in Russia. In 1779 he returned to Russia, where he was appointed Director to the Imperial Chapel Choir, the first as a native citizen. In 1796 he was appointed music director. With such a great instrument at his disposal, he produced many compositions, 100+ religious works, sacred concertos, cantatas, and hymns. He influenced Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovshy… Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: VESPER HYMN (Bortnianski)
Composer: Dimitri S. Bortnianski (1818)
Arranger: John A. Stevenson
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Incipit: 35453 52535 42171
Key: E♭ Major/F Major or modal
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

VESPER HYMN appeared in John A. Stevenson's Selection of Popular National Airs (1818) as a setting for Thomas Moore's "Hark! The Vesper Hymn Is Stealing." A footnote in that hymnal explained that Stevenson had added what is-now the first line of the retrain to a "Russian Air." Some later hymnals attributed the tune to Dimitri Bortniansky, but no tune resembling this one has been found in that Russian composer's published works. Stevenson is generally recognized as being the arranger if not also the composer.

As a youth, Stevenson (b. Dublin, Ireland, 1761; d. Kells, Ireland, 1833) was a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. He later worked as a church musician in both cathedrals: at St. Patrick's from 1783 to 1800 and at Christ Church from 1800 to 1814. In 1814 he became organist and musical director at the Castle Chapel. Stevenson published Morning and Evening Services and Anthems (1825) and an oratorio, Thanksgiving (1831). But he is better known for his operas and songs for the stage and his collection of Irish Melodies (1807-1809) to lyrics by Thomas Moore.

This bar form (AAB) tune reaches an early climax in its refrain. Preferably sing with children, but begin and end with the refrain as a frame sung by the entire congregation. For choral singing at a special service, try having the sopranos sing the final line of the refrain up an octave.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Timeline

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • The Art of Hymn Playing Volume 2: 250 Preludes Introductions Free Accompaniments & Alternate Harmonizations
    Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2009) pp. 168-169
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 60 Number 3 January February 1997: A Bi-monthly Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editor Dorothy Wells
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1997) pp. 29
  • 48 Hymn Decants for Festive and General Use: By Various Composers
    Composer/Editor Eugene H. Bonham
    Published By: G. I. A. Publications, Inc. (1980) pp. 33
  • 55 Hymn Intonations
    Composer/Editor Harald Rohlig
    Published By: Abingdon Press (1962) pp. 15
  • The St. Thomas Church Descant Book
    Composer/Editor Norman Coke-Jephcott
    Published By: The H. W. Gray Company, Inc. (1959) pp. 16
  • Hymn Tunes with Varied Harmonies Book 3: For Pianoforte or Organ
    Composer/Editor Joseph E. Newell
    Published By: Edwin Ashdown, Limited (London) (1920) pp. 9

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations: Piano

  • Piano Arrangements of Great Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor Don Whitman
    Published By: Standard Publishing Company (1951) pp. 6

Organ Solo

  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 60 Number 3 January February 1997: A Bi-monthly Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Carl Simone
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1997) pp. 27
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 18 Number 1 September 1983: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Howard Wells; Carl Simone
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1983) pp. 21
  • At the Console: Organ Interpretations
    Composer/Editor Eleanor Whitsett
    Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1974) pp. 2
  • Sunday Night at the Console: Organ Interpretations of Gospel Hymns
    Composer/Editor Eleanor W. Whitsett
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1974) pp. 25
  • Ten Choral Preludes and a Fantasy on Familiar Hymn Tunes: For the Organ
    Composer/Editor Harry Alexander Matthews
    Published By: Theodore Presser Company (1949) pp. 24
  • Ashford's Hymn Voluntaries No. 1: A Collection of Organ Voluntaries Based on Familiar Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor Emma Louise Ashford
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1901) pp. 12

Piano Solo

  • Piano Arrangements of Great Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor Don Whitman
    Published By: Standard Publishing Company (1951) pp. 6

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Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #614
  • Four-part harmony, full-score (PDF, NWC)
The Cyber Hymnal #2666
Text: Hark! The Vesper Hymn Is Stealing
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The United Methodist Hymnal #685
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  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
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With Heart and Voice: songs for all God's children #131
Text: Humble Praises, Holy Jesus
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