Three Psalms
Date
2017
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Haverford College. Department of Music
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Thesis
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Award
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eng
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Bi-College users only
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Abstract
The impetus for this work was research into the various types and functions of psalms from a textual perspective; how do they function as poetry, rather than as liturgy? Unsurprisingly, there is a good deal of scholarship on this subject, often categorizing psalms based on their subjects. In particular, this work focuses on Psalm 66 (functioning both as a Hymn of Praise and a Hymn of Thanksgiving), Psalm 12 (a Community Lament), and Psalm 120 (an Individual Lament). I had several goals from the beginning of the compositional process. First, I wanted to pay homage to the tradition of harmonized chant; the second movement does this with a contemporary harmonic flavor. Second, I wanted my third movement to reflect my admiration of Renaissance counterpoint; an individual lament needed parts that could function with melodic independence while also working together. Finally, I knew that the composition needed to be, simply, enjoyable. I, like many others, have a complex relationship with Christianity and with religion, but singing both sacred and secular music has always made me happy. From the start, I wanted the composition of the piece to reflect this pleasure and be musically and aesthetically satisfying independently of the words. Music should appeal to our most basic senses; it should not address primarily those individuals who can grasp its complexities. I hope that the music I have written will illuminate the texts for those who engage with them but will nevertheless provide excitement and joy for those who do not.