Composer

:

Maxim Berezovsky

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

ca. 1769

Average_duration

:

9:39

"Cast Me Not Off in the Time of Old Age" is a choral work composed by Maxim Berezovsky, a Ukrainian composer and singer of the 18th century. The piece was composed in the late 1760s or early 1770s, during Berezovsky's tenure as a choir director at the court of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg. The work is a setting of Psalm 71, which is a prayer for protection and deliverance in old age. The text is sung in Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Russian Orthodox Church. The piece is scored for four-part choir a cappella, with occasional divisi in the soprano and bass parts. "Cast Me Not Off in the Time of Old Age" is divided into three movements. The first movement is a slow and solemn setting of the opening verses of the psalm, in which the speaker implores God not to abandon him in his old age. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with a lively and dance-like character. It sets the middle section of the psalm, in which the speaker praises God for his faithfulness and asks for continued protection. The final movement returns to the slow and solemn character of the opening, with a setting of the closing verses of the psalm in which the speaker expresses confidence in God's mercy and salvation. The piece is characterized by its expressive and emotive use of harmony and melody. Berezovsky employs rich and complex harmonies, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances to create tension and release. The melodies are often ornamented with trills, turns, and other embellishments, giving them a florid and ornate character. The overall effect is one of deep emotion and spiritual intensity, reflecting the psalmist's plea for divine protection and deliverance. "Cast Me Not Off in the Time of Old Age" premiered at the court of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, likely as part of a liturgical service or concert. The piece has since become a staple of the Russian Orthodox choral repertoire, and is widely performed and recorded by choirs around the world.

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