Psalm 74 (Salvation is Created)
Program Note
Psalm 74, Verse 12 inspired one of the worlds most well known and beloved hymns Salvation is Created composed by Pavel Chesnokov in 1912. Shortly following this pieces composition, the Soviet government in Russia suppressed Christianity and the composer was forced to write secular music. Although he was never able to hear this work in his lifetime, it has become widely popular and has been transcribed and arranged into many forms (most notably in wind band, by Bruce Houseknecht.)
Most arrangements are quite true to the original choral hymn and yet there is much I (the composer) feel one could explore. Just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic shut downs, this was the last piece of music my students and I read through before going home and not returning for a year and a half. As such, I think it's fitting to explore this work in both its original intention and the emotions it evokes from its context in my own professional life.
Psalm 74, Verse 12 inspired one of the worlds most well known and beloved hymns Salvation is Created composed by Pavel Chesnokov in 1912. Shortly following this pieces composition, the Soviet government in Russia suppressed Christianity and the composer was forced to write secular music. Although he was never able to hear this work in his lifetime, it has become widely popular and has been transcribed and arranged into many forms (most notably in wind band, by Bruce Houseknecht.)
Most arrangements are quite true to the original choral hymn and yet there is much I (the composer) feel one could explore. Just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic shut downs, this was the last piece of music my students and I read through before going home and not returning for a year and a half. As such, I think it's fitting to explore this work in both its original intention and the emotions it evokes from its context in my own professional life.