The distinguished choral director/musicologist, Walter Rodby has provided us with an important musical and musicological discovery - "Magnificat in G" by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706). So far as can be determined through exhaustive research, a modern edition of this work has never been published, and in all probability, has not been performed in the past 250 years. The text is the traditional "Magnificat," offered here in the original Latin as well as an eminently singable English translation. It is scored for SATB choir with two Trumpets in D (or woodwinds) and continuo, with or without a string orchestra (realized by the editor). The music is strong, extremely expressive, a little florid, and wonderfully singable. The ranges are well within the capability of a good high school, church, college or community choir.
