Behold, I Tell You A Mystery / The Trumpet Shall Sound

When a bass soloist steps up to sing "Behold, I tell you a mystery," a hush always falls over the choir and the congregation. Taken from Handel’s great oratorio, this recitative and the soaring aria that follows—"The trumpet shall sound"—carry a profound weight. The words draw directly from Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, speaking of the final resurrection when the dead will be raised incorruptible. It is a moment of absolute triumph over death.

In our Nigerian choral circles, this piece is a favourite for classical concerts and special Easter performances. Singing or listening to it requires stamina and deep breath control, especially during those long, rolling phrases where the bass voice mimics the majestic call of the trumpet. The sheer repetition of "we shall be changed" drives home the promise of eternal life, building a sense of awe with every measure.

Even though this solfa score focuses on the vocal line, you can almost hear the bright, piercing brass echoing in the background. It is a challenging piece to master, but when delivered with conviction, it lifts the hearts of everyone in the pews, reminding us of the glorious hope that waits at the end of our earthly journey.