Psalms of David March 11, 2012

This is wonderful music!! Each piece evokes the spirit of the Psalm text in a different way. It doesn't matter if the composer is Renaissance or Modern, the music deepens the experience, giving an audible dimension to what the words say. The variety is amazing, even within eras. Vivacious Purcell and Gibbons Psalms set off a haunting Byrd Psalm, Turn our captivity, and the Sweelinck Psalms are all madrigals! The first half finishes with an intense Timor et tremor by Poulenc, and glorious, sweeping, richly melodic Richte mich, Gott by Mendelssohn.

The second half starts with a Bach Motet - Lobet Den Herrn - just as much fun for the audience to listen to as it is for the chorus to sing. Then two Psalms by highly dramatic Russian Romantics - Bortniansky and Chesnokov. Contemporary American comes next, featuring works by La Rocca, Dole and Bobbie McFerrin's The 23rd Psalm. Can't describe . . . you just have to hear it. Finally we end with a juxtaposition of Rossi and Gabrieli, two Psalms which take emotion from one end of the spectrum to the other. The list of works is posted to the BCG Concerts page - baychoralguild.org/concerts - for you to download.

And it goes without saying that Sanford Dole's programming of these amazing works makes the most of the individuality of the glorious music and text. Please come to this unique and wonderful concert!

Official Website: http://www.baychoralguild.org