Knabenchor Hannover, Radio-Philharmonie Hannover Des Ndr, Doppeltes Bläserquintett, William Reimer, Hannes Schlunk, Heinz Hennig

in 1930, Stravinsky composed the Symphony of Psalms (Symphonie de psaumes) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The commissioner wanted a "popular" work, but Stravinsky did not understand "popular" in the sense of "easy to understand" but rather "something that is universally admired" and chose the 150th psalm "Praise God in his sanctuary" as the starting point. He began this work by setting this psalm to music, although it is only heard in the third movement of the symphony.

For all its traditional ties, Stravinsky's music continues to have a shockingly modern effect on many listeners even today. In his music praise of God is formulated in tones entirely different from those expected by music lovers schooled in the romantic tradition. Stravinsky did not compose “emotional“ or “expressive“ religious music but sought objectivity, archaic prototypes, and traditions of timeless value, presenting these elements as if under microscopic enlargement. Stravinsky emphasised the autonomous laws of music, especially its chronological or sequential nature. In spite of this objectification, his music obviously has an emotional effect. Of course, the static quality of his music, its carefully planned structure on the larger scale and its smallest detail, and its dissonant, self-contained chords reflect not so much the yearning of the individual for God as fear and trembling in the presence of the grandeur and unfathomability of the Supreme Being.

Igor Strawinsky (1882-1971)

• Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms, K052
• Stravinsky: Mass, K077
• Stravinsky: Babel, K068
• Stravinsky: Babel, K068 (Sung in German)