Composer

:

Howard Goodall

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Psalm

Compose Date

:

1994

Average_duration

:

2:55

Psalm 23 is a choral work composed by Howard Goodall, a British composer, in 2008. The piece was premiered on May 18, 2008, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, by the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, conducted by Andrew Carwood. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm. The first movement, "The Lord is my shepherd," is a gentle and peaceful setting of the opening verse of the psalm. The music is characterized by a flowing melody and a simple, yet effective, harmonic structure. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, creating a sense of unity and togetherness. The second movement, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures," is a more complex and dynamic setting of the psalm. The music is characterized by shifting harmonies and a more intricate choral texture. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with each voice part contributing to the overall sound of the piece. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a peaceful conclusion. The final movement, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me," is a joyful and celebratory setting of the psalm. The music is characterized by a lively tempo and a bright, major-key tonality. The choir sings in a call-and-response style, with the soloists leading the way and the choir responding with enthusiastic affirmations. The movement ends with a triumphant flourish, bringing the piece to a rousing conclusion. Overall, Psalm 23 is a beautiful and uplifting choral work that captures the essence of the psalm. Goodall's use of simple yet effective harmonies and choral textures creates a sense of unity and togetherness, while his dynamic and varied musical language keeps the piece engaging and interesting throughout.

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