Composer

:

Charles Hylton Stewart

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:06

Charles Hylton Stewart's "Psalm 39, I said I will take heed to my ways" is a choral work that was composed in the early 20th century. The piece was premiered in 1915 and is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a slow and somber introduction, featuring the choir singing in unison. The music gradually builds in intensity as the choir sings the words of the psalmist, "I said I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue." The music becomes more complex as the choir sings about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The second movement is more upbeat and features a soloist singing the words of the psalmist, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry." The choir responds with a joyful and triumphant chorus, singing about the mercy and grace of God. The final movement returns to the somber tone of the first movement, with the choir singing about the brevity of life and the inevitability of death. The music builds to a powerful climax as the choir sings, "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." Overall, "Psalm 39, I said I will take heed to my ways" is a powerful and emotional choral work that explores themes of mortality, sin, and redemption. The music is complex and challenging, requiring a skilled choir to perform it effectively. Despite its age, the piece remains a popular choice for choral performances and is considered a classic of the genre.

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