Composer

:

Artúr Harmat

Genre

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Choral

Style

:

Choral

De Profundis is a choral work composed by Artúr Harmat in 1967. The piece was premiered in Budapest, Hungary, on November 12, 1967, by the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir, conducted by Miklós Forrai. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical language. The first movement, marked "Lento," is a somber and introspective meditation on the text "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord." The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies and dissonances, creating a sense of tension and release. The movement ends with a quiet and unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of longing and uncertainty. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and rhythmic setting of the text "If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities." The choir sings in a fast and syncopated rhythm, with frequent changes in meter and tempo. The music is full of energy and vitality, reflecting the joy and hope of the text. The final movement, marked "Adagio," is a slow and solemn setting of the text "But with you there is forgiveness." The choir sings in rich and complex harmonies, with occasional dissonances and suspensions. The music is full of pathos and emotion, reflecting the deep sense of forgiveness and redemption in the text. Overall, De Profundis is a powerful and moving work that explores the themes of sin, forgiveness, and redemption. Harmat's use of harmony, rhythm, and texture creates a sense of depth and complexity, while the choir's expressive singing brings the text to life. The work remains a staple of the choral repertoire and a testament to Harmat's skill as a composer.

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