Hymn

What it means

A hymn is a solemn song of praise. The term comprises two areas that are to be kept apart: the liturgical hymnus, a strophic sacred song with a fixed melody sung in the Liturgy of the Hours and on feast days, and the hymn in the wider sense as a secular song of praise, for instance as a national or club anthem. Common to both is the elevated tone and the strophic layout, which makes the communal singing of a larger group possible.

Musical use

Liturgical hymns belong to the oldest stock of Christian singing; their melodies are plain, kept in church modes, and laid out for multiple repetition. Many were arranged polyphonically or used as the basis for organ and vocal works. Secular hymns follow a similar constructive principle: simple, catchy melody, limited range, distinct articulation — properties that are required for the singing of large groups. In instrumental music the hymnic tone is taken up as a character, for instance in broadly laid-out, chorale-like sections.

In church singing the hymnus designates a strophic song of praise, in the secular sphere the national anthem is the best-known example. Haydn wrote the melody of the later German national anthem.

Performance practice

Choose a tempo that carries the articulation and leaves the group room to breathe; hymns are often begun too fast and then lose their dignity. Watch for a key that lies comfortably for all who sing along, and rather transpose than force peak notes. Shape the stanzas differently, for instance through changing accompaniment, so that long sequences do not become monotonous. With liturgical hymns, orient emphasis and phrasing on the text and the distribution of syllables. In communal singing, give a clear prelude that fixes key and tempo unambiguously.

Bear in mind that hymns are intended for communal singing and therefore demand consideration for untrained voices: too high a tempo or an uncomfortable key prevents the group from going along. Rather transpose than force peak notes.

With congregational singing, check whether the melody stands in a deviating version in the local edition.