Product Description:
PDF score of Sing to the Lord.
Please note: 10 copy minimum. Please purchase one copy per member of your choir.
Please note: 10 copy minimum. Please purchase one copy per member of your choir.
Program Note:
Sing to the Lord sets an abridged text from Psalm 98, celebrating the works of the Lord with joyful noise in song. The work was written for St. James’s Bach Vespers service, featuring Bach’s BWV 2 - Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein as a celebratory foil.
Though the work is indeed celebratory in nature, it eschews a true major mode, opting for more angularity with modal writing, parallel 4ths, and grand triplets to illustrate both the splendor of the Lord’s works and deeds while still reflecting remnants of the pleading, almost desparate narrative nature of Bach’s Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein. This is further represented in the key signature which mirrors yet contrasts the A = 415 Db major chord that ends Bach’s work, presented, instead, with a dorian version of the ending tonic.
As the choir begins verse 7, the music builds into a cacophony of text and overlapping counterpoint over a grounded bass that continually ascends. Once this cycle is broken, the Tenors and Basses enter with a more somber tone as the Psalm turns to judgement. But ultimately, the Lord’s judgement is one of righteousness and equity, sparking one final exultation of praise.
Though the work is indeed celebratory in nature, it eschews a true major mode, opting for more angularity with modal writing, parallel 4ths, and grand triplets to illustrate both the splendor of the Lord’s works and deeds while still reflecting remnants of the pleading, almost desparate narrative nature of Bach’s Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein. This is further represented in the key signature which mirrors yet contrasts the A = 415 Db major chord that ends Bach’s work, presented, instead, with a dorian version of the ending tonic.
As the choir begins verse 7, the music builds into a cacophony of text and overlapping counterpoint over a grounded bass that continually ascends. Once this cycle is broken, the Tenors and Basses enter with a more somber tone as the Psalm turns to judgement. But ultimately, the Lord’s judgement is one of righteousness and equity, sparking one final exultation of praise.
Instrumentation:
SATB choir & Organ
SATB choir & Piano
SATB choir & Piano
Recording:
Score:
Text:
Psalm 98: 1-4, 7-9 (ESV)
1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of [all] nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness...
All the ends of the earth have seen
[the] salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it...
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy...
9 ...for he comes
to judge the earth.
...with righteousness,
...with equity.
1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of [all] nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness...
All the ends of the earth have seen
[the] salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it...
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy...
9 ...for he comes
to judge the earth.
...with righteousness,
...with equity.