Composer

:

Lennox Berkeley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1960

Average_duration

:

6:32

Lennox Berkeley's "Thou hast made me, Op. 55/1" is a choral work that was composed in 1956. It was premiered on May 22, 1957, by the BBC Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is part of a larger work called "Three Latin Motets," which also includes "Laudate Dominum" and "Tota pulchra es." "Thou hast made me" is a setting of a text from Psalm 139, which speaks of the omnipresence and omniscience of God. The piece is in three movements, with the first and third being slow and contemplative, while the second is faster and more rhythmic. The first movement begins with a unison chant-like melody in the sopranos, which is then taken up by the altos and gradually builds to a climax with the full choir. The music then subsides, and the second movement begins with a lively, syncopated rhythm in the lower voices. The upper voices enter with a melody that is reminiscent of a folk tune, and the two parts interweave in a lively dance-like section. The third movement returns to the contemplative mood of the first, with a simple, hymn-like melody in the sopranos. The other voices enter one by one, building to a climax before subsiding once again. The piece ends with a quiet, peaceful coda. Berkeley's setting of the text is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. The music is tonal and largely diatonic, with occasional chromaticism for color. The vocal lines are mostly homophonic, with occasional moments of polyphony. The rhythms are generally straightforward, with occasional syncopations for interest. Overall, "Thou hast made me" is a beautiful and moving choral work that showcases Berkeley's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its simplicity and clarity make it accessible to a wide range of choirs, while its emotional depth and beauty make it a favorite of many choral singers and audiences.

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