FUERZA

Composer: Juan A. Espinosa

Born: 1940, Badajoz, Spain. Internationally recognized as one of the leading composers of Spanish liturgical music, Juan Antonio Espinosa composes songs that emphasize hope for the oppressed, social justice, and the power of faith. Currently, he directs the Association for the Promotion of Religious Music (APROMUR) in Spain and serves as a liturgical musician at San Estanislao Parish in Madrid. After living for a time in Peru, Juan published music reflecting the Andes style and Latin American social realities. Hispanic assemblies in the U.S. are familiar with Juan's uplifting music through his songs in the OCP collections Pescador de Hombres and Resucitó, and in Cánticos, Segunda Edición, Misal Del Día, Unidos En Cristo Música an… Go to person page >

FUERZA is the Spanish word for "fortress" or "refuge" (see both Psalm 46 and the text). The repeated refrain or antiphon is intended for unison singing, but the melody of the stanzas suggests two-part singing in typically Spanish parallel thirds. Try using a duet or two-part choir on the stanzas and have everyone sing the refrain. Since the stanzas are rather high and the refrain rather low, have the congregation sing the refrain and a duet or two-part choir sing the stanzas. Also, since the refrain is repeated each time, try to sing the refrain in English the first time through and repeat it in Spanish.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988