Psalm 19

General Information:

Liturgical Uses:  Responsorial psalm, offertory or communion song.

Refrains:       Three versions of Psalm 19, each with a different refrain, are found in the Lectionary.  Settings for each of the 3 versions are available.

1) "The precepts of the Lord are joy to the heart."            

© 2009 Rachel J. Burckardt.  All Rights Reserved.

                               

2) "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life."

© 2009, 2010 Rachel J. Burckardt.  All Rights Reserved.

                                             

3) "Lord, you have the words of everlasting life."

© 2009, 2010 Rachel J. Burckardt.  All Rights Reserved.

Verses:                            
The verses vary for each of the three versions.  

Arrangement:

Vocal:                             
Refrain:  SATB choir
Verses:   Cantor    

Instruments:                
Acoustic guitar, piano, bass with flute, violin, cello & synth      

Availability:

Sheet Music:                
Lead sheets for each of the 3 refrains.
Order from Wood Harbor Music

Recorded Versions:

Videos:       New Dawn Concert, May 20, 2011     [link to be added]
                  On YouTube
CD:            Praise for the New Dawn, Vol. 1   

Order from Wood Harbor Music
Digital download at CD Baby.
Listen on YouTube or at  Spotify!

Left to right:  Giancarlo Geltrin, lead vocals; Ellen Angelica, guitars; Petr
Specek, cello; Dave Buerger, bass; Levin Valayil, flute; Sue Buzzard, violin

Composer's Notes:

Verses 8 through 12 of Psalm 19 speak of God revealed through God’s laws.  God’s decrees are seen as perfect, enlightening, pure, enduring, and just.  The setting presents the text is a melody that is very measured in the pitches employed, requiring the cantor to present the text with reserved awe.

The introduction, employing the 2nd inversion of a d minor 9th chord leads to an equally simple refrain built on a narrow range of 6 scale tones and only two chords.  The arrangement includes the wonderful noodling of Petr Spacek, an incredibly talent cellist and New England Conservatory grad, plus two Berklee alums, Sue Buzzard, violin, and Levin Valayil, flute. 

Giancarlo Geltrin, also a Berklee grad, is the cantor.

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