Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1945

Average_duration

:

6:07

"Deus in adjutorium meum" is a choral work composed by Benjamin Britten in 1959. It was premiered on July 12, 1959, at the Aldeburgh Festival in Suffolk, England. The piece is written for unaccompanied choir and is based on the text of Psalm 70. The work is divided into two movements. The first movement is marked "Allegro con fuoco" and is characterized by its driving rhythms and energetic choral writing. The second movement is marked "Lento" and is more contemplative in nature, with a focus on the text's themes of supplication and trust in God. Britten's setting of the text is notable for its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, which create a sense of tension and urgency in the music. The choral writing is also highly virtuosic, with complex rhythms and intricate vocal lines that require a skilled choir to perform. Overall, "Deus in adjutorium meum" is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer of choral music. Its premiere at the Aldeburgh Festival was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a staple of the choral repertoire.

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