Psalm 121: SA Choral Octavo

Name: Psalm 121: SA Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-43565
Price: 1.90 USD
Availability: InStock

By Imant Raminsh

Item: 00-43565

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Lawson-Gould is proud to present two new editions of this Gordon V. Thompson classic. Recording provided by Centrediscs and the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washburn, Conductor. Optional rental orchestration available presser.com/request-rental.

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Series: Lawson-Gould

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081491059

SKU: 00-43565

More about this title

About the Composer: Imant Raminsh

Imant Raminsh was born in 1943 in Ventspils, Latvia and immigrated to Canada with his family five years later. His training spanned multiple conservatories: the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, the University of Toronto, the Akademie "Mozarteum" in Salzburg, and the University of British Columbia. His catalog encompasses nearly every musical genre, from solo voice through large symphonic works, and his compositions have appeared in major concert halls across six continents, including Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Carnegie Hall in New York, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Glinka Capella in St. Petersburg.

Raminsh founded several ensembles over his career, including the Prince George Symphony, the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan, NOVA Children's Choir, and AURA Chamber Choir. His conducting debut at Carnegie Hall occurred in 2006. He has received the Outstanding Choral Composition Award from the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, the Distinguished Visiting Alumnus Award from the University of Toronto, and in 2007 was named an Officer in the Order of the Three Stars of the Republic in Latvia. An associate member of both the Canadian Music Centre and the Canadian League of Composers, Raminsh's work as a park naturalist and interpreter in British Columbia provincial parks has deeply influenced his musical voice, particularly his sensitivity to natural landscapes.

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Why we love this

Raminsh's setting of Psalm 121 achieves what many sacred choral works aspire to but rarely accomplish: it balances accessibility with genuine artistic depth. The SA/SSAA voicing opens the piece to a wide range of choral groups, yet the harmonic language and text setting demonstrate the craft of a composer whose work has graced international stages. With a recording from the Vancouver Chamber Choir under Jon Washburn already available, singers can hear the piece realized at the highest level while learning it.

What to expect

The piece opens with the psalmist's confidence that protection comes from watchful care, and Raminsh's harmonic language reflects both peace and quiet strength. The writing is lyrical without being sentimental, with a tonal palette that feels both modern and rooted in choral tradition.

Who it's for

This octavo serves choirs with limited soprano resources or those looking to program literature that accommodates changing voices and smaller ensembles. It is equally suited to established women's choirs, youth choirs, and community choirs seeking sacred repertoire that rewards careful listening without demanding virtuosic technique.

How to get the most out of it

Listen to the Centrediscs recording multiple times before rehearsal begins to absorb Raminsh's phrasing and harmonic intent; the piece reveals itself more fully when singers understand where the music breathes and how voices interact across the arrangement.
Balance the two voice parts by thinking of them as a conversation rather than a hierarchy; even in passages where one part carries the primary melody, the accompanying part needs warmth and presence to support the harmonic language.
Pay attention to text underlay and vowel consistency between the two parts, especially in moments where the voices move in parallel or contrary motion, to ensure clarity of the psalm text throughout.

How to use it

This work fits naturally into a sacred concert program or Sunday worship service, where its moderate length allows it to serve as either a centerpiece or a complement to other works. Its contemplative character and accessible voicing also make it an excellent choice for concerts celebrating Canadian composers or for programming alongside other Raminsh choral works.