Analytical and semantic aspects of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms

Abstract

Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein can be interpreted by formations with different levels of musical accomplishment and express the idea of harmonious communion. By analysing the parts of the score - an extended choral composition in three movements for boy treble or countertenor, choir and orchestra, we present semantic aspects of it. Aided by his componistic thechniques, Bernstein is successful in acquiring a strong dramatism in his Chicester Psalms, that is effective in communicating a strong urge of the present but also of transcendence. The use of intervals, chords, tonal functions are very expressive, when overlaid with the Psalms of David.