Psalm 142 (chorus - satb)

Audio sample (.mp3)

Score - pages 1 & 2 (.pdf - Click here to acquire Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Program Notes:

Psalm 142 is dedicated to my parents, Rev. A.E. Syverud and Mrs. Genevieve Wold Syverud. Verses 1,2,4,5, and the first part of verse 7 of Psalm 142 are used as the text for the composition. Many phrases are set initially in a contrapuntal fashion. The opening upward melodic interval of a major sixth expands to an octave which, together with perfect fourths and fifths, become the principle vertical sonority at primary cadence points. The descending melodic minor 2nd is also used extensively and becomes a major 2nd (both descending and ascending, a whole-step leading tone) at phrase endings. The expansion and compression of intervals is a primary development procedure used throughout the composition.

If you are interested in acquiring complete performance materials for this piece, please contact me by email (kindly include your phone number).

s-syverud@northwestern.edu

I will request a small handling fee to cover printing and shipping costs.