An Analysis Of The Compositional Ideas Used In psalm 66 (original Composition)

Psalm 66 is a three-movement composition written for chorus (varying from traditional S.A.T.B. to S.S.S.S.A.A.A.A. T.T.T.T.B.B.B.B) and orchestra. The composition is based partly on the simultaneous occurrence of different compositional methods. The important feature of the first movement is use of a series of motivic ideas called events. Each idea represents a different compositional method. These events are used to indicate cadence points and are also unifying devices. The second movement is a sectional form utilizing five compositional ideas in juxtaposition to each other. It is a programmatic movement depicting the sounds of Middle-Eastern cultures. The final movement is a rondo form with theme and digression being different compositional methods