Composer

:

Stephen Paulus

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

6:45

"I Have Called You By Name" is a choral work composed by Stephen Paulus in 1990. The piece was premiered by the Dale Warland Singers on May 12, 1990, at the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "I Have Called You By Name," is a setting of Isaiah 43:1-7. The movement begins with a solo soprano voice singing the text "I have called you by name, you are mine." The choir then enters, singing a lush and harmonious setting of the text. The movement is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and soaring melodies, which create a sense of comfort and reassurance. The second movement, "The Lord is My Shepherd," is a setting of Psalm 23. The movement begins with a solo soprano voice singing the text "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." The choir then enters, singing a gentle and peaceful setting of the text. The movement is characterized by its use of simple, yet effective harmonies and a sense of calmness and serenity. The third movement, "The Peace of Wild Things," is a setting of a poem by Wendell Berry. The movement begins with a solo soprano voice singing the text "When despair for the world grows in me." The choir then enters, singing a haunting and introspective setting of the text. The movement is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and a sense of uncertainty and introspection. Overall, "I Have Called You By Name" is a powerful and moving choral work that showcases Stephen Paulus' ability to create lush harmonies and soaring melodies. The work is a testament to the power of music to provide comfort and reassurance in times of uncertainty and despair.

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