Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Psalm

Average_duration

:

2:16

Herbert Howells' "Psalm 121 I will Lift up Mine Eyes" is a choral work that was composed in 1936. It was premiered on 22nd October 1936 at the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, England. The piece is a setting of the text of Psalm 121, which is a well-known psalm in the Bible that speaks of God's protection and care for his people. The work is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm. The first movement is marked "Moderato maestoso" and begins with a solemn and majestic choral introduction. The choir then sings the first verse of the psalm in unison, with the melody moving between the different sections of the choir. The movement builds to a climax with a powerful choral statement of the words "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in." The second movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is more reflective in character. The choir sings the second verse of the psalm in a gentle and flowing melody, with the words "He shall not suffer thy foot to be moved" repeated several times. The movement ends with a quiet and peaceful choral statement of the words "The Lord shall preserve thy soul." The final movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is the most joyful and exuberant of the three. The choir sings the final verse of the psalm in a lively and rhythmic melody, with the words "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore" repeated several times. The movement ends with a triumphant choral statement of the words "even for evermore." Overall, "Psalm 121 I will Lift up Mine Eyes" is a powerful and moving choral work that reflects the deep faith and trust in God that is expressed in the psalm. The work is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and powerful choral statements, which combine to create a sense of awe and reverence for the divine.

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