FUERZA

Composer: Juan A. Espinosa

Born: 1940, Badajoz, Spain. Internationally recognized as one of the leading composers of Spanish liturgical music, Juan Antonio Espinosa composes songs that emphasize hope for the oppressed, social justice, and the power of faith. Currently, he directs the Association for the Promotion of Religious Music (APROMUR) in Spain and serves as a liturgical musician at San Estanislao Parish in Madrid. After living for a time in Peru, Juan published music reflecting the Andes style and Latin American social realities. Hispanic assemblies in the U.S. are familiar with Juan's uplifting music through his songs in the OCP collections Pescador de Hombres and Resucitó, and in Cánticos, Segunda Edición, Misal Del Día, Unidos En Cristo Música an… Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: FUERZA
Composer: Juan A. Espinosa
Meter: 11.6.11.6 with refrain
Incipit: 15411 31175 71115
Key: d minor
Copyright: © 1990 Juan Espinosa. Published by OCP

Notes

FUERZA is the Spanish word for "fortress" or "refuge" (see both Psalm 46 and the text). The repeated refrain or antiphon is intended for unison singing, but the melody of the stanzas suggests two-part singing in typically Spanish parallel thirds. Try using a duet or two-part choir on the stanzas and have everyone sing the refrain. Since the stanzas are rather high and the refrain rather low, have the congregation sing the refrain and a duet or two-part choir sing the stanzas. Also, since the refrain is repeated each time, try to sing the refrain in English the first time through and repeat it in Spanish.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 17 of 17)

Cáliz de Bendiciones #246

Cantemos al Señor #28

Celebremos II #6

El Himnario #344

El Himnario Presbiteriano #344

Flor y Canto #382

Flor Y Canto (2nd ed.) #674

Flor y Canto (3rd ed.) #662

Himnos de Vida y Luz #67

Mil Voces para Celebrar #246

Text InfoTune InfoAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #610

Songs for Life #216

The Covenant Hymnal #69

The Covenant Hymnal #856

Audio

The United Methodist Hymnal #856b

Toda La Iglesia Canta #78

With Heart and Voice #145

Include 1 pre-1979 instance
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