Schlee: Two Psalms, Op. 74

Description

The first piece "Sicut ros Hermon" (Psalm 133) meditates on the path God's mercy takes, whereby the initial slow descending harmonic sequences develop into an emphatic song followed by a tender chorale-like coda. "Si sumpsero pennas aurorae" (Psalm 139) relates to a highly poetic, consolatory but also admonishing image of the psalm: As far as our wings may carry us, God's hand will take hold of us. We cannot escape his mercy or his judgement. At the end of this striking movement the music conveys almost haptic moments; one can sense the mighty ‘hand' by means of the tutti sound. Finally the music becomes as calm as at the start of this piece, though dialogue-like figurations convey repercussions of what was experienced and acknowledged.