Composer

:

Christopher Gibbons

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

4:58

'Not unto us, O Lord' is a sacred choral work composed by Christopher Gibbons, an English composer and organist who lived from 1615 to 1676. The piece was likely composed in the mid-17th century, although the exact date is unknown. It was first performed at the Chapel Royal in London, where Gibbons served as a musician. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different section of Psalm 115. The first movement, "Not unto us, O Lord," is a setting of the opening verses of the psalm, which praise God for his mercy and faithfulness. The second movement, "Their idols are silver and gold," is a setting of verses 4-8, which contrast the power of God with the weakness of idols. The third movement, "The dead praise not the Lord," is a setting of verses 17-18, which emphasize the importance of praising God while we are still alive. The final movement, "But we will bless the Lord," is a setting of the closing verses of the psalm, which call on all people to praise God. The music of 'Not unto us, O Lord' is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. Gibbons uses homophonic textures and straightforward harmonies to convey the meaning of the text. The vocal lines are often syllabic, with each word given equal weight and emphasis. The work is scored for four-part choir, with occasional divisi in the soprano and alto parts. The accompaniment is provided by a continuo group consisting of organ, bass viol, and theorbo. Overall, 'Not unto us, O Lord' is a beautiful example of English sacred music from the mid-17th century. Its simple yet powerful melodies and harmonies make it a timeless piece that continues to be performed and enjoyed today.

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