The Chichester Psalms
Jon M. Levinson
In article <32b352fd...@news.airmail.net>, nie...@airmail.net wrote:
>Has anyone heard of this composition by Leonard Bernstein. The Garland
>Chorale is going to present this. I searched on the Web and one site
>had both the Hebrew(transliteration) and English text. Of course, I'm
>going to see it myself. It'll be interesting to see if they sing it in
>Hebrew or English. Is it presented in either language here in the USA.
>How about Israel? Also, is it worthwhile to get the composition to
>learn in Hebrew for just vocal study?
>
>be-ahavah ve-shalom EthelJean of Creekbend
>MAC-NIET-SPIN-GAL/0387A.G./Khai Y'all
These pieces were performed at the papal Concert to Commemorate the
Holocaust, which was recorded. PBS aired a video broadcast of parts of
the concert, and you can order the CD from them.
--
Jon M. Levinson
Mechanics Chairman, Bergen County Umpires Association
Member, IAABO Board 33
Registered Official, USA Basketball
Member, Bergen County Soccer Officials Association
Ethel Jean Saltz
Cantor Neil Schwartz
Chichester Psalms is a very complicated choral work, supported by a small
orchestra. It is not sung in English as far as I know, and it would make
a very poor vehicle for vocal study in Hebrew. I have performed the three movements several times, and I can assure you that between unusual rhythms,
difficult Hebrew, and the lack of a clear melody line, this is a piece to
either sing as part of a choir or else listen just to as a recording. I
am curious about the URL for the text which you found pn the Web.
--
Cantor Neil Schwartz
Ethel Jean Saltz
Cantor, I since my Newsreader is not the same as my browser and my
saved file doesn't tell the URL, I can only tell you I found it by
searching "Chichester Psalms" on Alta Vista.
>am curious about the URL for the text which you found pn the Web.
>
>--
>Cantor Neil Schwartz
>
>schw...@enter.net
be-ahavah ve-shalom EthelJean of Creekbend
MAC-NIET-SPIN-GAL/0387A.G./Khai Y'all
Sarah Beardslee
In article <32B6E0...@this-text-spoils-spams-ucsd.edu>, Cindy Justis
<cju...@this-text-spoils-spams-ucsd.edu> wrote:
> Ethel Jean Saltz wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone heard of this composition by Leonard Bernstein. The Garland
> > Chorale is going to present this. I searched on the Web and one site
> > had both the Hebrew(transliteration) and English text. Of course, I'm
> > going to see it myself. It'll be interesting to see if they sing it in
> > Hebrew or English. Is it presented in either language here in the USA.
> > How about Israel? Also, is it worthwhile to get the composition to
> > learn in Hebrew for just vocal study?
> >
> > be-ahavah ve-shalom EthelJean of Creekbend
> > MAC-NIET-SPIN-GAL/0387A.G./Khai Y'all
>
>
I was in a chorus that performed the Chichester Psalms several years ago.
We performed it in Hebrew, but I do remember that the score had English as
well, althought the transliteration was horrible! It's a gorgeous piece
of music, but is difficult to perform, since the harmonies take some
getting used to.
Sarah
Ethel Jean Saltz
I saw the presentation last night. I know, on Shabbat. But I don't
belong to institutionalized Judaism. I just, well, decided to retire
as a Jew in a wonderful world. Too bad the rest of the world isn't
Jewish. like me. That's the wonderful thing about being an American.
You are allowed to define your own self -- even what is Jewish.
The full name of the group is THE JIM R. HENDERSON GARLAND CHORALE.
I found the program very ecumenical considering that Garland is a
really Christian City and very provincial. In fact, I thought the
whole program was very sophisticated.
CHICESTER PSALMS, Leonard Bernstein
TE DEUM, Anton Bruckner
Sing-along which I thought I would have to endure and was:
Deck the Hall
Jingle Bells
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
White Christmas (everyone had to stand)
Silent Night, Holy Night which I sing with young maiden instead of
virgin and it doesn't just apply to one night. The Holy night COULD be
every Shabbat.
As an encore they did the Hallelujah Chorus, the Messiah One I guess.
I remember another Hallelujah that I sang when part of Hillel's Choir
eons ago, which was in Hebrew.
Well, I just loved the Chichester Psalms. I have to ask this since no
explanation was given: didn't the instrumentals seem to give the sound
of gunshots. That's my impression because I already knew it was
written for a Holocaust Remembrance. Also, has there been any
explantion for the particular Psalms chosen by Bernstein?
The Te Deum was also beautiful and interesting for comparison
purposes. Both compositions blended voices and instruments
beautifully.
Now, I am not even an amateur musician, so I have only a reading
feeling about things like "atonal" and "chords". It's even hard for me
to stay on pitch, even though my voice is pretty good. So my
impressions are very very unscholarly.
One more note: It's interesting that two Jewish men were in the
program: Bernstein and Berlin..
Oh yes, it would not be fair not to give some info about Jim
Henderson. He is a college professor and his dream was to develop one
of the finest choral groups around. He was so thankful for the packed
audience and it was his first for-fee concert -- all of $6.00. He's
been getting lots of support from local businesses.
adamc...@aol.com (ADAMCAINER) wrote:
>The chichister psalms are in Hebrew but rather oddly pronouced and
>pohrased. The music is in places stunningly beautiful but like a lot of
>Bersteins work the atonals and odd rhythms take some getting used to.
>
>I found sining in a choir for this work rewarding but musically
>challanging!
David Taylor
I have sung the Chichester Psalms on many occasions over the last 12 or
13 years with the Zemel Choir of London. It is a magnificent piece and
most enjoyably challenging for any reasonably competent choir.
*But* it was not written as a holocaust memorial. The dedication at the
top of the published score reads:
"Commisioned by the Very Rev. Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester
Cathedral, Sussex, [England] for its 1965 Festival, and dedicated, with
gratitude, to Cyril Solomon."
The world premier took place on 15 July 1965 in NY. The original
version conceived by Bernstein for all-male choir, was heard on 31 July
1965 in Chichester.
--
David Taylor
Mr. Neil F. Weinstein
I'm performing "Chichester" along w/ "Carmina Burana" with the Seattle
Choral Company on New Year's Eve at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in
Seattle. The piece is wonderful. The music fits the transalation of
the psalms exquisitely. If you're in Seattle on the 31st....
Neil Weinstein
NeilWe...@prodigy.com
"I sing my song into the wide open spaces..."