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VAUGHAN WILLIAMS – Psalm 148 ‘Praise the Lord of Heaven’ – 12 CELLOS

Other Identification:
This large musical setting of the Psalm 148 – “O Praise the Lord of Heaven” – was written by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1913, and was first heard later that same year at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The following year it was published. It was originally scored for a double chorus, and an extra ‘semi-chorus’ which was to be reduced in numbers. It was intended to be a bold, antiphonal anthem.

Movements or sections:
Poetical Structure: It begins with praise from celestial beings (angels, stars) and continues to praise the highest heavens and waters. It then calls on the earth, including sea creatures, mountains, trees, animals, and weather, to praise God. Finally, it calls on humanity, from kings to children, to join the chorus.

Instrumentation:
ENSEMBLE OF TWELVE (12) CELLOS
Prepared by David Johnstone

In 4 PDFs:
PDF 1 – Individual Cello Parts to Cellos 1 – 4
PDF 2 – Individual Cello Parts to Cellos 5 – 8
PDF 3 – Individual Cello Parts to Cellos 9 – 12
PDF 4 – original vocal score

Approximate difficulty:
MEDIUM
David Johnstone has prepared the parts for performances with TWELVE cellists, and transposing the music into much more COMFORTABLE cello registers, rather than a direct copy. However, these individual voices can also be doubled up (with more cellists present on parts 5 – 12 than on the parts 1 – 4). It is thought that Vaughan Williams conceived this with choir members totalling at least a hundred voices, so likewise there is no maximum number for cellos in new performances.

If a conductor is employed then he/she can use the original vocal score; the transpositions should cause no problem whatsoever.

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David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

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TORTURE IS NOT CULTURE !