Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1952

Average_duration

:

1:39

"O Taste and See" is a choral anthem composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1953. It was premiered on October 11, 1953, at the dedication of the new chapel at the Royal School of Church Music in Addington, Surrey, England. The anthem is set to a text from Psalm 34:8 and is written for four-part choir with organ accompaniment. The anthem is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a solo voice singing the opening line of the psalm, "O taste and see how gracious the Lord is." The choir then enters with a simple melody that gradually builds in intensity. The movement ends with a return to the solo voice singing the opening line. The second movement is a slower, more contemplative section. The choir sings a simple melody in unison, with occasional harmonies added for emphasis. The organ provides a gentle accompaniment, with sustained chords and occasional flourishes. The final movement is a return to the joyful, celebratory tone of the first movement. The choir sings a more complex melody, with overlapping phrases and intricate harmonies. The organ provides a lively accompaniment, with fast-moving arpeggios and fanfares. Overall, "O Taste and See" is a simple yet powerful anthem that showcases Vaughan Williams' skill at writing for choir and organ. The text is a reminder of the goodness of God, and the music captures both the joy and the contemplative nature of the psalm.

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