De ProfundisThe 130th Psalm for speaking choir, mixed choir and organ

The 130th Psalm (Vulgata: 129th Psalm) belongs to the six penitential psalms and has often been set in notes.

The present work begins with a loud, exalted sound of the organ in order to plunge into the depths with this sound. The basses of the choir call from the depths and – in the sense of the word – the chorus of speech.

The “Domine, exaudi vocem meam” is an extensive choir joint, the consequences of which are intensified and thus lend emphasis to the reputation of “listen to my voice”.

Homophone passages in the character of the Gregorian chorale follow. Sounds are shifted in the same way.

The text suddenly turns to the spatial dimension – “a custodia matutina usque ad noctem …” (“from dawn to night”). More extensive solo passages of the organ with a few casts of the choir clarify this shift.

Among the songs of Gregorianism there is a de profundis – this may be surprising – with alleluia in front. The “et ipse redimet Israël” (“he will redeem Israel”) transforms into “et ipse ridemet” (“he has redeemed”) with cheering Hallelujah of both choirs on virtuoso organ passages.

Libretto

(Canticum graduum.) De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine; Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuæ intendentes in vocem deprecationis meæ. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est; et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus; speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem, speret Israël in Domino; quia apud Dominum misericordia, et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet/ridemet Israël ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius. Alleluja!