Composer

:

Cyrillus Kreek

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

6:40

Cyrillus Kreek's "Psalm 137 (Paabeli jõgede kaldail)" is a choral work that was composed in 1923. The piece was premiered in Tallinn, Estonia, in the same year. The composition is based on Psalm 137, which is a lamentation of the Jewish people during their captivity in Babylon. The text of the psalm is sung in Estonian. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in unison. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with the choir singing in harmony. The third movement returns to the slow and mournful style of the first movement. The characteristics of the piece are rooted in Estonian folk music. Kreek was a collector of Estonian folk songs, and he incorporated elements of this music into his compositions. The use of modal harmonies and the use of drone notes are typical of Estonian folk music, and these elements can be heard in "Psalm 137." The piece is also characterized by its use of dynamics. The choir alternates between loud and soft passages, creating a sense of tension and release. The use of dynamics is particularly effective in the second movement, where the choir sings in a call-and-response style. Overall, "Psalm 137 (Paabeli jõgede kaldail)" is a powerful and emotional work that reflects the pain and suffering of the Jewish people during their captivity in Babylon. Kreek's use of Estonian folk music elements adds a unique flavor to the piece, making it a distinctive example of Estonian choral music.

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