{ program notes instead, he enlarged the numbers of higher and more piercing winds, asking for five flutes, four oboes and five trumpets. Two pianos and a harp are also added. Sounding a bit archaic, even barbaric, the resulting orchestra is both brilliant and austere in timbre.
Stravinsky arranged his Psalm texts so they would form a clear and powerful emotional trajectory. Movement one, he said,“ was composed in a state of religious and musical ebullience.” The interval of an ascending minor third( and occasionally the larger major third) is the seedbed of this movement and indeed the entire work; it is important to both melodic lines and the overall harmonic movement. It is embedded in the pungent E-minor chords that punctuate the opening section and is outlined in the wild woodwind swirls that alternate with them. The altos then introduce the moaning lamentation motive— E rising a half step to F— that will dominate the vocal lines.
Stravinsky called movement two’ s double fugue(“ I waited for the Lord”)“ an upside down pyramid.” That is because the pyramid’ s harmonic foundation is not heard until after the two fugues are presented. The austere and plaintive first fugue is performed by a solo flute and three oboes. Its subject opens with the ascending minor third motive. Then the sopranos launch the second four-voice fugue, which belongs to the chorus. Finally, the orchestra lays down the harmonic base of the pyramid, amid fragments of the first fugue.
Movement three: Never one to choose the obvious way, Stravinsky ignored all cues from the musical imagery found in Psalm 150. He would use no stringed instruments, organs or“ high-sounding cymbals” to praise God. He opted for a much subtler approach, saying he had realized“ that God must not be praised in fast, forte music, no matter how often the text specifies‘ loud.’” He explained:“ Psalm 150 [ is ] a song to be danced, as David danced before the Ark.”
The whispered“ Alleluia” that opens the movement is the“ new song” promised in movement two. In slow, quiet music
Psalms Text and Translation
1.( Psalm XXXIX)
Exaudi orationem meam, Domine, et deprecationem meam. Auribus percipe lacrimas meas. Ne sileas, ne sileas.
Quoniam advena ego sum apud te et peregrinus, sicut omnes patres mei. Remitte mihi, prius quam abeam et amplius non ero.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with Thine ears consider my calling: hold not Thy peace at my tears.
For I am a stranger with Thee: and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
O spare me a little that I may recover my strength: before I go hence and be no more seen.
2.( Psalm XL) Expectans expectavi Dominum, et intendit mihi. Et exaudivit preces meas; et exudit me da lacu miseriae, et de lato faecis. Et statuit super petram pedes meos: et direxis gressus meos. Et immisit in os meum canticum novrum, carmen Deo nostro.
I waited patiently for the Lord: and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the mire and clay: and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.
Many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
3.( Psalm CL) Alleluia. Laudate Dominum in sanctis Ejus. Laudate Erum firmamentis virtutis Ejus. Laudate Dominum. Laudate Eum in virtutibus Ejus Laudate Eum secundum multitudinem magnitudinis Ejus. Laudate Eum in sono tubae. Laudate Eum. Alleluia. Laudate Dominum.
Laudate Eum. Laudate Eum in timpano et choro, Laudate Eum in cordis et organo; Laudate Eum in cymbalis bene sonantibus Laudate Eum in cymbalis bene jubilantionis. Laudate Eum, omnis spiritus laudate
Dominum. Alleluia.
Alleluia. O praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him upon the strings and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: Praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Alleluia.
March – APRIL 2017 | Overture 37