In Peace and Joy I Now Depart for SATB, Flute, and Piano

In Peace and Joy I Now Depart is a six-phrase hymn by Martin Luther.  Harbach was inspired to write a two-part piece with the form of ABAB.  The A parts are newly composed with the ethos underscoring a feeling of Peace, while the B portions evoke the feeling of Joy.  The A section begins with a decorated flute melody with comments by the altos, tenors, and basses.  The Joy section is reminiscent of a Renaissance dance with the flute melody soaring above with ecstatic fervor. The flute melody from the beginning of the piece (A) now returns and is joins in the dialogue by the piano, followed by the dancelike B section.  The piece ends on a joyous note for the final words “That death is but a slumber.”