Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming, Op. 113, No. 2

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the late 1980's studied organ with Jens E. Christensen and Gunnar Svensson. Studies of music theory at University of Copenhagen. From 1993 to 2008 organist at Kong Haakons Kirke (the Norwegian church) in Copenhagen. Longtime collaboration with Norwegian pianist, Tom Ernst. From 2024 collaboration with American composer and organist, Carson Cooman. Large number of compositions in a relatively conservative style often combining baroque polyphony with more contemporary elements of harmony and form.

"Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming" is dated March 3-10, 2025. It is the second piece in the collection: "8 Preludes and Mediatations on Christmas Carols, Op. 113".

I've done a number of these works and will be uploading them over the Christmas period. They are all cleverly written, but their appeal varies from piece to piece. This one is more "interesting" as opposed to some of the "prettier" settings of the melody.

The work one sets the famous tune by Michael Praetorius, and the hymn itself evokes the symbolic use of the rose to describe Mary sprouting from the Tree of Jesse as the Mother of God. (altarpiece, St. Lambrecht's Abbey)

The score is attached below as well as a photo of the composer, Dan Ehlert Nielsen, as well as a photo of the altarpiece of St. Lambrecht's Abbey showing the flowering of the Jesse Tree.

Please stay with me as I attempt to complete my "Christmas cycle" ending with the Epiphany on January 6th.

Peace to All!