More Settings of “Now Thank We All Our God”

It is quite remarkable that a faithful Christian pastor wrote a hymn of thanksgiving in the middle of war, pestilence, and famine (see “Pestilence and ‘Now Thank We All Our God.'”). It is equally remarkable that this hymn transcended time and place and has become so popular. The hymn is still performed throughout the world by many different ensembles in many different ways. That post several weeks ago on the story of “Now Thank We All Our God” was well received, so I decided to share these interesting and unique settings of the hymn.

One the largest brass ensemble ever gathered performs “Now Thank We All Our God” for the 2010 Landesposaunentag (Federal Trombone Day) in the town square of Ulm, Germany.

A congregation at the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden, Germany sings the hymn at a worship service celebrating the reunification of Germany.

The Dresden Kreuzchor (Choir of the Cross) sings “Now Thank We All Our God” as a part of their 800th anniversary celebrations..

While on tour in Germany, the choir of Wartburg College from Wartburg, Iowa sings a double choir setting of the hymn by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706).

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47) used the hymn for the 11th movement of Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise). In this video the movement featuring “Now Thank We All Our God” begins at 45:30. Mendelssohn composed this work in 1840 for the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg (c1400-68).

Finally, here is an fantasia for orchestra and choir on “Now Thank We All Our God” by the German composer Christian Spengler. It is a movement from his work entitled Lutheran Symphonix, free settings of 12 Lutheran hymns.

For these and more settings, click here.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Now Thank We All Our God arrangements on www.sheetmusicplus.com.

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