Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1922 - 1924

Average_duration

:

5:29

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Three Antiphonal Psalms is a choral work composed by Virgil Thomson in 1958. The piece was premiered on May 15, 1958, by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. The work is divided into three movements, each based on a different psalm. The first movement, based on Psalm 121, is marked "Moderato, con moto." The piece begins with a solo soprano voice singing the first line of the psalm, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills." The choir then enters, singing the same line in antiphonal fashion. The movement is characterized by its use of call-and-response between the soloist and choir, as well as its use of dissonant harmonies and rhythmic complexity. The second movement, based on Psalm 130, is marked "Andante sostenuto." The piece begins with a solo alto voice singing the first line of the psalm, "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." The choir then enters, singing the same line in antiphonal fashion. The movement is characterized by its use of long, sustained notes and its somber, introspective mood. The third movement, based on Psalm 150, is marked "Allegro con brio." The piece begins with the choir singing the first line of the psalm, "Praise ye the Lord." The movement is characterized by its lively, energetic rhythm and its use of syncopation and polyrhythms. The choir sings in antiphonal fashion, with different sections of the choir responding to each other. Overall, Three Antiphonal Psalms is a complex and challenging work that showcases Thomson's mastery of choral composition. The piece is notable for its use of antiphonal singing, dissonant harmonies, and rhythmic complexity, as well as its exploration of different moods and emotions through the three psalms.

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