Composer

:

Dimitry Bortnyansky

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Concerto

Average_duration

:

8:23

Dimitry Bortnyansky's Sacred Concerto No. 19, "The Lord said unto my Lord," is a choral work that was composed in the late 18th century. The piece was first performed in 1799 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The concerto is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different biblical text. The first movement is based on Psalm 110:1, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." The second movement is based on Psalm 2:1-4, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." The third movement is based on Psalm 110:4, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." The first movement is characterized by its grandeur and majesty. The choir sings in unison, with the melody carried by the sopranos and altos. The second movement is more dramatic, with the choir singing in a more complex harmony. The third movement is more contemplative, with the choir singing in a slower tempo and with a more subdued tone. Overall, Bortnyansky's Sacred Concerto No. 19 is a powerful and moving work that showcases the composer's skill in writing for choir. The piece is still performed today and is considered to be one of Bortnyansky's most important works.

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