Composer

:

Louis Bourgeois

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1555

Average_duration

:

1:39

'Old Hundredth' is a hymn tune composed by Louis Bourgeois in the 16th century. The exact date of its composition is not known, but it is believed to have been written sometime between 1551 and 1555. The tune was originally written for the French Psalter, a collection of psalms translated into French by Theodore Beza. The hymn tune 'Old Hundredth' is named after the 100th psalm, which it was originally written to accompany. The tune has since been used for many other hymns and is considered one of the most popular hymn tunes in the world. It is often used as a doxology, a short hymn of praise to God. 'Old Hundredth' is a simple, yet powerful tune that is easy to sing and remember. It is written in a four-part harmony, with the melody in the tenor part. The tune is characterized by its strong, steady rhythm and its use of repetition. The first phrase of the melody is repeated three times, with slight variations each time, before moving on to the next phrase. The hymn tune 'Old Hundredth' is typically performed in four movements, with each movement corresponding to a different verse of the hymn. The first movement is a simple statement of the melody, with all four parts singing together. The second movement is a variation on the melody, with the soprano and alto parts singing a descant while the tenor and bass parts continue with the original melody. The third movement is a more complex variation on the melody, with each part singing a different variation of the melody. The fourth movement is a return to the original melody, with all four parts singing together once again. Overall, 'Old Hundredth' is a timeless hymn tune that has been beloved by Christians for centuries. Its simple yet powerful melody and its use of repetition make it easy to sing and remember, while its strong, steady rhythm gives it a sense of stability and strength.

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