Composer

:

William Mathias

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1989

Average_duration

:

5:50

William Mathias' "The Lord is my Shepherd" is a choral work that was composed in 1976. It was premiered on May 22, 1976, at St. David's Hall in Cardiff, Wales, by the Cardiff Polyphonic Choir and the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Poole. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the strings, which is soon joined by the choir. The text, taken from Psalm 23, is set in a simple, homophonic style, with the choir singing in unison or in simple harmonies. The movement builds to a climax with the choir singing "Thou anointest my head with oil," before subsiding into a peaceful coda. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and rhythmic setting of the text "He leadeth me beside the still waters." The choir sings in a syncopated rhythm, accompanied by a lively orchestral accompaniment. The movement features a solo trumpet, which plays a fanfare-like melody that is echoed by the choir. The final movement, marked "Andante," is a serene and contemplative setting of the text "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." The choir sings in a gentle, flowing melody, accompanied by a lush orchestral accompaniment. The movement builds to a climax with the choir singing "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," before subsiding into a peaceful coda. Overall, "The Lord is my Shepherd" is a beautiful and uplifting choral work that showcases Mathias' skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet effective, melodies, lush orchestration, and uplifting text. It has become a popular work in the choral repertoire and is frequently performed by choirs around the world.

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