Orchestration

Baritone Solo, Mixed Chorus, and Orchestra
2.[2 pic] 2.2.[2 bass cl] 2 // 2.2.3.0 // timp.perc.[2] // baritone solo // chorus // strings. Rehearsal score (orchestral reduction) is also available.
Duration: 25 minutes

History

Commissioned by the Summit Chorale and the Chamber Symphony of New Jersey and dedicated to David Diamond. First performed March 4, 2000 in Summit, New Jersey by the Summit Chorale and the Chamber Symphony of New Jersey under the direction of Garyth Nair, with William Riley, baritone.

Audio Samples

sample one
sample two
sample three
sample three

Score Samples

sample one - page 12 [pdf]
sample two - page 33 [pdf]
sample three - page 61-62 [pdf]
sample three - page 66 [pdf]

Program Note

[provided by the annotator for The Summit Chorale]

In August 1998, John Kaefer began work on four settings of psalm texts for soprano and piano, including a setting of the first verse from Psalm 27. He kept returning in his work to one particular chord; this chord would become the foundation for an altogether new composition for chorus, flute, and piano. In the fall of 1998, Kaefer showed his work to David Diamond. Diamond suggested that Kaefer rework the piece on a much larger scale, setting the entire psalm for chorus, orchestra, and baritone soloist. PSALM 27 was completed in February 1999 and is approximately 25 minutes in duration.

The mood of both music and text in PSALM 27 alternate between sections of calmness and anxiety. Seven sections are thus delineated into three in the following pattern:

calm - anxious // calm - anxious - calm // anxious - calm

In addition to this structure, Mr. Kaefer unified the work with the chord that served as the genesis for the entire work, a chord that is at times sonorous and at others rather dissonant. It conjures a feeling of unfathomable mystery as it opens the piece in the brass, strings, and then the choir. Designated the God chord, it represents the tumultuous, varying levels of confidence that the psalmist has in his Creator.

About four minutes into the work, a new motive is introduced when the basses sing the word "afraid." The lower strings present a series of menacing eighth-note tremolos derived from the God chord. As the God chord symbolizes the psalmist's confidence in God, so the tremolos symbolize the psalmist's anxiety at violence and conflict.

Another signal the listener can detect is a rapid descending scale, heard for the first time after the words "devour my flesh." Used numerous times at paramount structural and emotional points, the descending scale is altered into several different variations: an ascending scale, a fragmented ascending scale (which builds to the climax), and a slow rising scale (which appears in the restful period after the climax). In addition, as a precursor to the furious climax (characterized by a brass chorale and loud, crashing cymbals), the scale appears in ascending and descending form, breaking into repeated upward fragments, which conveys heightened distress.

Orchestral transitions are implemented between choral sections to aid in the buildup or release of tension. These transitions also function as introductory statements which the baritone soloist or chorus reiterate and develop. The baritone solo consists of simple and eloquent phrases, which represent the psalmist's love of God. The chorus symbolizes the emotional and ever-changing moods of the psalmist. Strongly violent and accompanied passages are followed by harmonic and emotional stability.

PSALM 27 is a work of pure energy. It is highly dissonant at times, and beautifully consonant at others. His use of dissonance is purely musical; that is, it continually aids the text or mood of the psalm. Kaefer's harmonic and contrapuntal language is highly unified, thus creating a sense of solidarity. The singularity of his musical language, beginning with the God chord, is found throughout the entire work.

This work was funded in part by the Margaret Fairbank Jory Copying Assistance Program [2000] of the American Music Center.

Text

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and foes attack,
they will stumble and fall.
Should an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war may break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

I have made one request of the Lord,
only that do I seek:
that I may dwell in the Lord's house
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon His beauty
and to seek Him in His temple.

For in the day of trouble
He hides me in His sanctuary.
On a rock, He firmly lifts me high
above my enemies.
With shouts of joy I will offer Him sacrifices;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear Lord, when I call aloud,
be merciful and answer me.
True to my heart's promise,
it is your face that I seek.

Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn away in anger;
provide me with your support.
Do not forsake me,
do not neglect me, O God, my defender.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
you receive me.
Show me your way, O Lord,
and lead me along a safe path.
Do not hand me over to the will of my enemies,
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
breathing out threats of violence.

I am still confident of this:
I will witness the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord;
be strong and take heart,
and wait for the Lord.