Rejoice the Lord Is King

The joy of Easter comes to life in this spirited arrangement of “Rejoice, the Lord Is King.” Syncopated rhythms drive the opening, and a fanfare-like right hand introduces the main melody. The music then segues into a sweeter, gentler variation of the hymn tune, accompanied by arpeggios and simple counterpoint. A modulation from C major to F major leads the piece through satisfying reharmonizations, and a transition imitating the sound of a brass ensemble pushes toward a fortissimo, breathtaking climax in G major. The arrangement requires playing some blocked octaves and blocked four-notes chords that span an octave, as well as facility in moving across the full range of the keyboard. A dazzling ending makes great use of these extreme high and low ends of the instrument, ushering in the brilliant light of Easter.