| Laetatus sum | |
|---|---|
| Choral composition by Jules Van Nuffel | |
 Organ at the Sint Rombouts Kathedraal of Mechelen, for which the piece was composed | |
| Key | F-sharp minor |
| Opus | 45 |
| Text | Laetatus sum (Psalm 122) |
| Language | Latin |
| Composed | 1935 |
| Scoring | |
Laetatus sum (I am glad), Op. 45, is a musical setting of Psalm 122 (Psalm 121 in the Vulgate) in Latin by Jules Van Nuffel, composed in 1935 for mixed choir and organ.
Van Nuffel set many Latin texts to music, including ten psalms, for the liturgy and also concert at the Sint Rombouts Kathedraal in Mechelen, where he served as cantor, while Flor Peeters was organist. [1] In the Latin Psalters the psalms are numbered differently. Psalm 121 there is Psalm 122 in the King James Bible. Van Nuffel set the psalm in April 1935 for a mixed four-part choir and organ. [1] [2]
The psalm was published by the Schwann Verlag (now part of Edition Peters), which published also other works of the composer. [2]
The psalm (Psalms122) in nine verses is one of 15 Songs of Ascents. It deals with the expectation to go to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem together with other pilgrims, expanding what Jerusalem means to them. The last four verses invite to prayer for the peace, security and prosperity for Jerusalem. [3] [4] Van Nuffel set the Latin text in one movement of different moods:
| No. | Title | Text | Type | Vocal | Key | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Laetatus sum in his | 1–3 | SATB | F♯ minor | 3/4 | |
| B | Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus | 4–8 | SATB | F♯ minor | 3/4 | |
| C | Propter bonum Domini Dei | 9 | SATB | C major | 3/2 | |
| A′ | Laetatus sum in his | 1 | SATB | F♯ minor | 3/4 |
The music in F♯ minor and 3
4 time is marked Con moto (with movement), initially marked mezzo-forte (mf). Soprano and alto begin "Laetatus sum" together with an ascending motif, which tenor and bass pick up the following measure in the opposite direction, and intensified by the organ in the third measure. "Illuc enim ascenderunt" begins slightly slower (poco allargando) in the basses, again with ascending motifs. The other voices join in vivid movement. The last psalm verse, "Propter bonum", prepared by a strong crescendo and ritardando, is rendered in calmer, majestic singing, accented by rising chords in the organ. The psalm is concluded by a repeat of the first verse, ending extremely softly (pp) on a repeated "Jerusalem". [5]
Laetatus sum is the title of a recording of thirteen choral works by Van Nuffel (which also contains In convertendo Dominus ), performed by three choirs, two from Mechelen and one from Antwerp, conducted by Bob Peeraer and Urbain Van Asch, with organists Willy Climan and Laurent Van Den Bergh, and the brass ensemble of Theo Mertens . [6]
Another recording of this psalm appears on Psalms – Te Deum at the Sint-Rombouts Cathedral, Malines, a René Gailly CD (87 059), performed by the choir of the Sint Rombouts Cathedral and two other choirs, conducted by Johan Van Bouwelen, with organist Peter Pieters and the brass ensemble "The Art of Brass".
'I was glad' is an English text drawn from selected verses of Psalm 122. It has been used at Westminster Abbey in the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs since those of King Charles I in 1626.
Chichester Psalms is an extended choral composition in three movements by Leonard Bernstein for boy treble or countertenor, choir and orchestra. The text was arranged by the composer from the Book of Psalms in the original Hebrew. Part 1 uses Psalms 100 and 108, Part 2 uses 2 and 23, and Part 3 uses 131 and 133. Bernstein scored the work for a reduced orchestra, but also made a version for an even smaller ensemble of organ, one harp, and percussion.
Franciscus Florentinus Peeters,Baron Peeters was a Belgian composer, organist and academic teacher. He was director of the Conservatorium in Antwerp, Belgium, and organist at Mechelen Cathedral from 1923 to his death in 1986.
Jules Jozef Paul Maria Van Nuffel was a Belgian priest, composer, choirmaster, music pedagogue, musicologist and a renowned expert on religious music.
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Psalm 126 is the 126th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream". In Latin, it is known as In convertendo Dominus. It is one of the fifteen Songs of Ascent in the Book of Psalms whose opening words in Hebrew are "Shir HaMaalot". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 125.
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Psalm 24 is the 24th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 23. In Latin, it is known as "Domini est terra et plenitudo eius orbis terrarum". The psalm is marked as a Psalm of David.
Psalm 122 is the 122nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I was glad" and in Latin entitled Laetatus sum. It is attributed to King David and one of the fifteen psalms described as A song of ascents. Its title, I was glad, is reflected in a number of choral introits by various composers.
Psalm 121 is the 121st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help”. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 120. In Latin, it is known as Levavi oculos meos in montes.
Psalm 47 is the 47th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O clap your hands". The Book of Psalms is the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 46. In Latin, it is known as "Omnes gentes plaudite manibus". The psalm is a hymn psalm. It is one of twelve psalms attributed to the sons of Korah, and one of fifty-five psalms addressed to the "Chief Musician" or "Conductor".
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In convertendo Dominus, sometimes referred to as In convertendo, is the Latin version of Psalm 126. It has been set in full for a cappella choir by, amongst others, George de La Hèle (1547-1586) and Jean-Noël Marchand (1666-1710), by Dmitri Bortnyansky (1777), Marc-Antoine Charpentier H.169 (1670 ?), Michel-Richard Delalande S.25 (1684), Charles-Hubert Gervais (1723) and Jean-Philippe Rameau (In convertendo Dominus, c. 1710), by 16th century Scottish priest Patrick Douglas, as a motet for choir and orchestra and by Jules Van Nuffel for mixed choir and organ as his Op. 32 (1926); it has also been set in part for a cappella choir by Giovanni Bernardino Nanino..
Super flumina Babylonis, Op. 25, is a musical setting of Psalm 137 in Latin by Jules Van Nuffel, composed in 1916 for mixed choir and organ.
Psalm 150 is a psalm setting by César Franck. He wrote the composition, setting Psalm 150 for four-part choir, orchestra and organ, in 1883. It was published in 1896 by Breitkopf & Härtel. Carus-Verlag published an arrangement for choir, strings and organ. The incipit in French is "Halleluiah! Louez le Dieu, caché dans ses saints tabernacles".
