Composer

:

Alexander Arkhangel'sky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:25

'Wherefore hast thou cast me away' is a choral work composed by Alexander Arkhangel'sky, a Russian composer, conductor, and music teacher. The piece was composed in 1888 and premiered in Moscow in the same year. It is a sacred choral work that is based on a biblical text from Psalm 42. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is marked Adagio and is sung by the choir in unison. It is a lamentation in which the speaker asks God why he has been cast away and left to suffer. The music is slow and mournful, with long, sustained notes and a sense of deep sadness. The second movement is marked Allegro and is sung by the choir in four-part harmony. It is a more upbeat and hopeful section in which the speaker expresses his faith in God and his belief that he will be restored. The music is faster and more energetic, with a sense of joy and optimism. The final movement is marked Andante and is sung by the choir in unison. It is a prayer in which the speaker asks God to remember him and to restore him to his former state. The music is slow and contemplative, with a sense of quiet reverence and humility. Overall, 'Wherefore hast thou cast me away' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Arkhangel'sky's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of choral harmony and its ability to convey a range of emotions, from despair to hope to faith. It remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire and is often performed in churches and concert halls around the world.

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