{ 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