 Psalm 51 by Mordecai Sandberg Psalm #51, No. 2 by Mordecai Sandberg (1897-1973) was completed while the composer was a New York resident in 1944. It was the first of many Psalms he composed for orchestra. (In subsequent years, Sandberg set the entire book of Psalms for orchestra, a collection titled “Symphonic Psalms”). Originally, Psalm #51 was scored for soprano and string quartet, hence the “No. 2” appendage. The score is broken down in the following way, although there are no breaks between sections: Introduction, Allegro, Andante and Elegy, Prayer Finale. Essentially, this Psalm makes a plea for purification of the heart, spiritual awakening, and a resolve for the future, concluding with a prayer for the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. Sandberg’s settings of Biblical text are based on the mood and spirit of the verses, and his musical interpretations are philosophical rather than literal, strongly influenced by the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). The performance utilized two full keyboard synthesizers, required to play all the microtones in the work (designed by Patrick Grant). Mordecai Sandberg was born in what is now Moldavia and earned his living as a medical doctor, all the while composing, performing, and organizing music events internationally. Dorien Verheijden from Arnhem in The Netherlands sings with the Dutch Radio Choir (Groot Omroepkoor), The Dutch Chamber Choir, and with Ensemble Solange which specializes in modern and unknown music. |