Psalm 23 - Z. Randall Stroope

Arvada West High School Company West
Aleisha Maunu, Flute
Alexis Rolfson, Oboe
Emily Keelan, Piano
Text
The composer chose to highlight various key phrases in the Psalm 23 text and to build the musical structure of the piece around these “textual pillars.” The treatment of the text is like unto someone reading the psalm, and then perusing back through it -internalizing certain words and phrases, not necessarily always in order. As a result, parts of this musical setting of Psalm 23 are meditative, others are triumphant, and still others have the sense of feeling comforted and loved. The Latin word “lauda” (translated “praise”) is interwoven into these musical vignettes and plays a major role in the energy that drives the piece. The flute and oboe also give connection and color to the various textual and musical ideas and create a sense of yearning and dependence - one on the other. The listener feels “pulled in” to the inherent gentleness, yet inner strength of the work.

[@JoeHall-ge6ke]

Cleanest version I've found yet on RUclips!

[@jesse_campbell]

Bravo! Exquisite treatment of a demanding piece. Blended well, no one drowning out anyone else.

[@elizabethhancock8678]

Dr. Stroope wrote this piece for us (Bel Canto). This ranks up there with the best performances of it we have heard! You're doing great things with this group, Chris.

[@GildedCurls]

I have sung this song, in this arrangement, more times than i care to count.
My small woman’s college choir (Peace College) went so far as to sing this piece in Il Duomo and the Vatican.
As an alto (1st and 2nd) it is hard to hear the full breadth of the harmony. Especially so, when you are concentrating so much on your tone and breath.
Almost ten years out, and not listening to our own recording, I can actually HEAR what makes this song so beautiful and important.
Thank you for such a lovely interpretation of this piece!