Composer

:

Peter Aston

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1996

Average_duration

:

3:53

"How lovely is your dwelling-place" is a choral work composed by Peter Aston in 1976. It was premiered by the choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, under the direction of Richard Marlow. The piece is based on Psalm 84, which speaks of the beauty and holiness of God's dwelling place. The work is divided into four movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm. The first movement, "How lovely is your dwelling-place," is a joyful and exuberant setting of the opening verses of the psalm. The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies, and the music is characterized by its lively rhythms and bright, major-key tonality. The second movement, "My soul has a desire and longing," is a more introspective and contemplative setting of the psalm's middle verses. The music is slower and more meditative, with rich harmonies and a sense of longing and yearning in the vocal lines. The third movement, "Blessed are they that dwell in your house," is a celebratory and triumphant setting of the psalm's final verses. The choir sings in full harmony, with bold and majestic chords, and the music is characterized by its grandeur and sense of awe. The final movement, "For one day in your courts," is a quiet and reflective setting of the psalm's closing verses. The music is slow and gentle, with a sense of peacefulness and contentment in the vocal lines. Overall, "How lovely is your dwelling-place" is a beautiful and uplifting choral work that captures the essence of Psalm 84. Its joyful and celebratory moments are balanced by moments of introspection and reflection, creating a rich and varied musical experience for both performers and listeners.

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