Chichester Psalms | |
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Choral composition by Leonard Bernstein | |
Occasion | 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival at Chichester Cathedral |
Text | Psalms 100, 108, 2, 23, 131, 133 |
Language | Hebrew |
Performed | 15 July 1965 New York City : |
Movements | three |
Scoring |
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Chichester Psalms is an extended choral composition in three movements by Leonard Bernstein for boy treble or countertenor, choir and orchestra. The text was arranged by the composer from the Book of Psalms in the original Hebrew. Part 1 uses Psalms 100 and 108, Part 2 uses 2 and 23, and Part 3 uses 131 and 133.[1] Bernstein scored the work for a reduced orchestra, but also made a version for an even smaller ensemble of organ, one harp, and percussion.
The work premiered at the Philharmonic Hall in New York City on 15 July 1965, conducted by the composer. That was followed by a performance at Chichester Cathedral as part of the Southern Cathedrals Festival, for which it was commissioned, on 31 July that year, conducted by John Birch.