Christ is risen from the dead

Edwin Augustus Sydenham’s Christ is risen from the dead is a powerful anthem for SATB choir, setting an English text drawn from the New Testament. The music opens with a noble and resolute chordal texture, immediately establishing the jubilant and triumphant character of the Easter message. The composer skilfully contrasts moments of intense harmonic weight with more flowing melodic lines, reflecting the profound theological statements within the lyrics. The text speaks of Christ’s resurrection as the assurance of all believers’ future resurrection, drawing a parallel between the death brought by Adam and the life brought by Christ. The SATB voicing allows for rich harmonic colour and dramatic dynamic shaping, making this an effective and inspiring choice for church services and choral concerts.