Psalm 121: SATB Choral Octavo
By Imant Raminsh
Item: 00-PO-0003441
$2.00
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
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 at presser.com/request-rental.
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Additional Details
Series:
Lawson-Gould
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0003441
More about this title
About the Composer: Imant Raminsh
Imant Raminsh was born in 1943 in Ventspils, Latvia and emigrated to Canada with his family five years later. He studied composition and music theory at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, the University of Toronto, the Akademie "Mozarteum" in Salzburg, and the University of British Columbia, developing a compositional voice that spans solo, chamber, choral, symphonic, and operatic works.
Raminsh has conducted the premieres and performances of his own work across six continents, from Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto to Carnegie Hall in New York to the Forbidden City in Beijing. He founded the Prince George Symphony, the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan, NOVA Children's Choir, and AURA Chamber Choir. His honors include the Outstanding Choral Composition Award from the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, the Distinguished Visiting Alumnus Award from the University of Toronto, and the 2007 Officer in the Order of the Three Stars of the Republic in Latvia. A longtime associate member of the Canadian Music Centre and Canadian League of Composers, Raminsh draws creative inspiration from his deep connection to the natural world, a passion he has pursued through seasonal work as a park naturalist and interpreter throughout British Columbia.
Why we love this
Raminsh brings the sensibility of a seasoned choral conductor to his own writing, crafting music that sits naturally in the voice while remaining musically substantial. The recorded example by the Vancouver Chamber Choir under Jon Washburn demonstrates the piece's power in capable hands, offering your singers a reference standard for blend and interpretation. The optional orchestration at presser.com opens doors for concert presentation beyond a cappella performance.
What to expect
Raminsh's setting unfolds with quiet confidence, grounded in spiritual reflection. The harmonic language is contemporary yet accessible, creating a sense of watchfulness that mirrors the psalm's message of protection and constancy.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for intermediate to advanced choral ensembles with secure four-part balance and the ability to navigate moderate chromaticism. Directors programming sacred repertoire will find this a fresh alternative to more frequently performed settings of this beloved psalm.
How to get the most out of it
- Listen closely to the Centrediscs recording provided with the octavo. Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir model clarity of text and balance across voice parts that elevates understanding of the composer's intent.
- Shape the harmonic progressions with sustained, legit singing through longer phrases rather than breaking them into smaller gestures. Raminsh's harmonies reward continuous vocal support.
- Pay attention to how the text informs dynamic shaping. The psalm's imagery of protection and watchfulness should guide your interpretation of where voices swell and recede.
How to use it
Include this alongside other works in a concert exploring different compositional approaches to sacred texts, or pair it with music from the same period to showcase choral literature by living Canadian composers. Its moderate length and accessible performance level make it suitable for both concert and worship contexts.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing four-part SATB texture with independence across voice parts
- Singing contemporary harmonic language with confidence and intonation
- Interpreting text-driven dynamic and expressive choices
- Sustaining legit vocal sound through longer phrases