NEW BRASS QUARTET ARRANGEMENT! John Ireland’s “Greater love hath no man”

I'm thrilled to announce that my arrangement of "Greater Love Hath No Man" by John Ireland is now available as a PDF download on my website. This choral anthem is a timeless masterpiece that has been enjoyed by generations of listeners, and I'm excited to offer my own interpretation of it.

John Ireland was a British composer who was born in 1879 and passed away in 1962. He was a highly respected composer who wrote a wide range of music, including choral pieces, piano music, and chamber music. As a child prodigy who began studying piano at the age of four, Ireland's musical career began at an early age. He later studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a pupil of Charles Villiers Stanford.

"Greater Love Hath No Man" was written in 1912, when Ireland was in his early thirties. The piece is a setting of a text from the Gospel of John, specifically from chapter 15, verse 13. The text is a powerful statement about the ultimate sacrifice that one can make for another person. It is a fitting message for Holy Week, as it reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.

John Ireland

The Text

The text of the piece is drawn from several sources in the Bible, specifically Canticles 8, St John 15, I Peter 2, I Corinthians 6, and Romans 12.

The text of "Greater Love Hath No Man" is a powerful statement about sacrificial love and the ultimate sacrifice that one can make for another person. The passage from St John 15:13 reads, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." This statement is central to the Christian faith and speaks to the idea of putting others before oneself.

The text from Canticles 8 speaks to the strength of love and its ability to overcome all obstacles. It reads, "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. Love is strong as death." This passage reinforces the idea that love is a powerful force that cannot be overcome by any external force.

The text from I Peter 2 speaks to the idea of redemption and the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. It reads, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." This passage reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for the sake of humanity and the redemption that is available to all who believe in him.

The text from I Corinthians 6 and Romans 12 speaks to the idea of sanctification and the importance of living a holy life. These passages remind us that we are called to be a holy nation, a chosen generation, and a royal priesthood, and that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.

My Arrangement

My arrangement of "Greater Love Hath No Man" takes the original score and adds a brass quartet on top of it. I believe that this arrangement adds an extra layer of depth and richness to the piece, making it even more powerful and moving. The download includes a full score and brass parts for trumpet 1, trumpet 2, trombone, and tuba. The brass parts have been carefully crafted to complement the original score and to create a full, rich sound.

If you're looking for a challenging yet rewarding piece to add to your choir's repertoire, then "Greater Love Hath No Man" is the perfect choice. The piece requires a skilled choir and a talented brass quartet, but the end result is truly unforgettable. The piece is ideal for Holy Week, but it is also a fitting choice for any occasion that celebrates the power of sacrificial love.

When I arranged "Greater Love Hath No Man", I wanted to create a piece that would inspire and move audiences. I wanted to capture the beauty and power of Ireland's original composition while also adding my own unique touch to it. The result is a piece that is both faithful to the original and fresh and exciting in its own right.

To purchase the PDF download of my arrangement of "Greater Love Hath No Man" by John Ireland, simply visit my website and follow the instructions. The download is available for a reasonable price, and it includes a full score and brass parts for trumpet 1, trumpet 2, trombone, and tuba. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed with this beautiful piece of music!

Kindly,

Garrett