The Marv'lous Work

When a choir begins rehearsing "The Marv'lous Work," there is always a sense of stepping into something grand. Taken from Joseph Haydn’s great oratorio *The Creation*, this piece captures the sheer awe of the angels looking upon the newly formed universe. The text sings of the "glorious hierarchy of heav'n" marveling at God's handiwork on the second day of creation, and the music reflects that exact feeling of bright, ringing wonder.

In our parishes, classical anthems like this hold a special place. We often bring them out for major feast days, choir concerts, or grand celebrations where the liturgy calls for a truly majestic sound. The interplay between the soaring Gabriel solo and the full, resounding response of the chorus makes it a joy to sing. It requires focus and breath control, especially in those sweeping classical phrases, but when the voices finally align on "resound the praise of God," the effect is nothing short of glorious.