Psalm 13
When I finished the first iteration of this composition in December of 2008, my brother and I had plans of producing a really top-quality, professional recording. In short, that never happened. Yet my interest in the subject of choral composition was renewed this past month, and I felt the need to have at least some recording that I could work with, possibly to hand off to a choir, chorale, or other group of willing vocalists, as a sample or demo.
So yesterday I headed over my brother's house, and we pounded out this draft. This was done with just two people and about 6 hours of work. To put that at least partially in perspective, this chorale is scored for a minimum of 12 people. About halfway through our session, I could well understand how groups like the Orange County Catholic Chorale or Chorale Bel Canto can spend 6 weeks or so working on just one piece.
This is a very rough draft. Due to the short amount of time that we had, no mixing has been applied to the tracks. It's just a rough cut. But even so, even with all its flaws, I think this recording captures the basic intent of the piece. And having any recording of this composition at all is such a big deal to me, that I wanted to post it on my site.
Moving forward, we may go back and refine this. We may re-record some sections, and apply some general audio engineering to the piece. I won't hold my breath for any other vocalists to get involved, but it's not entirely outside the realm of possibility.
The lyrics are as follows.
Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say,
"I have prevailed against him";
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in Your unfailing love;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for He has been good to me.
