Composer

:

W.N. Duckworth

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Psalm

Average_duration

:

5:27

'Psalm 17 Hear the right, O Lord, consider my complaint' is a choral work composed by W.N. Duckworth. The piece was composed in 1976 and premiered in the same year. It is a setting of Psalm 17, which is a prayer of David asking for protection from his enemies. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked "Moderato" and begins with a unison statement of the opening text, "Hear the right, O Lord, consider my complaint." The choir then breaks into four-part harmony, with the melody moving between the different sections. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and urgency. The second movement is marked "Adagio" and is a more contemplative section. The choir sings the text "Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night" in a gentle, flowing melody. The movement is characterized by its use of long, sustained notes and a sense of peacefulness. The final movement is marked "Allegro" and is a triumphant conclusion to the piece. The choir sings the text "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" in a lively, energetic melody. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and rhythmic complexity, which create a sense of joy and celebration. Overall, 'Psalm 17 Hear the right, O Lord, consider my complaint' is a powerful choral work that showcases Duckworth's skill in creating complex harmonies and rhythms. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and urgency, as well as its use of long, sustained notes and syncopation, which create a sense of peacefulness and joy.

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