This piece, recently reissued, originated as a setting for male voice choir, commissioned in 2004 by the Audley Male Voice Choir, and I remember with pleasure the energetic performance, directed by conductor Philip Broadhurst, in the grand Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (see picture). I’ve often thought it would be of interest to other types of choir as well, and so I recently revised it, and made two more versions to complement the original setting for TTBB and organ – so now there are also versions for SSAA and for SATB, both with organ.
Psalm 150, particularly associated in the liturgical calendar with Easter, is one of the most joyful of the psalms, and its references to various musical instruments have made it a popular one with many composers and choirs. So when the Audley Male Voice Choir specified this psalm for their commission, it gave me the opportunity for much musical imagery. What composer couldn’t be excited by such lines as
Praise him in the sound of the trumpet;
Praise him upon the lute and harp;
Praise him upon the strings and pipe;
Praise him upon the loud cymbals!
So, although with just choir and organ at my disposal, I hope that I managed to suggest these various instruments, and blend the whole psalm together in a joyful song of praise.
Here are digital performances of each version, with scrolling score:
And details of how to obtain copies are here
