Composer

:

John Rutter

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

"O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Out" is a choral anthem composed by John Rutter in 1978. It was first performed by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, under the direction of Timothy Brown. The piece is based on Psalm 139, which speaks of God's omniscience and omnipresence. The anthem is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a solo soprano voice singing the opening lines of the psalm, "O Lord, thou hast searched me out and known me." The choir then enters, singing in unison, before breaking into four-part harmony. The movement is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody and lush harmonies. The second movement is more rhythmic and energetic, with the choir singing in a lively 7/8 time signature. The text speaks of God's presence in all places, even in the depths of the sea. The movement features a solo tenor voice, who sings a brief but powerful solo before the choir returns to the main theme. The final movement returns to the gentle, flowing melody of the first movement. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with the soprano soloist returning to sing the final lines of the psalm. The movement ends with a quiet, peaceful cadence. Overall, "O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Out" is a beautiful and contemplative piece of choral music. Its lush harmonies and gentle melodies perfectly capture the sense of awe and wonder expressed in the psalm. The piece has become a staple of the choral repertoire and is frequently performed in churches and concert halls around the world.

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