The Praises of God

Song record peer reviewed by Editorial Board member: Gregory Zavracky

Song TitleThe Praises of God (Search)
Composer(s):Samuel Barber
Composer Underrepresented GroupLGBTQ+ (Search)
Author(s):W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (after Anonymous)
Keyword(s) & Features: Acknowledging; Air; Animals; Birds; Christianity; Criticizing; Foolish; God; Heaven; Joy; Kings; Laudations; Men; Nature; Part of a Song Cycle; Praise; Praising; Raising; Religion; Singing; Voices
First LineHow foolish the man (Search)
Average Duration1:00 (Search)
Year of composition 1953 (Search)
Link to English Text Onlinehttp://www.listeningarts.com/music/art_song/sounds_and_texts/BarberTexts.htm
Larger WorkHermit Songs (Search)
Musical FormThrough-composed (Search)
Original LanguageEnglish (Search)
Score Source https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=50490045
Audio Source https://open.spotify.com/track/6VpE6LWuGhsC3OXGSXxh9P?si=IrjFd7b5TF-lACSNeKqdBw
Difficulty LevelCollege (Search)
Catalog DesignationOp. 29 no. 9 (Search)
Range: E4 - G5 (Search)
Original KeyC major (Search)
Dedicated ToMary Evans Scott (Search)
Premiered ByLeontyne Price; Samuel Barber (Search)
Commissioned ByElizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation (Search)
NotesAlso available in low key (Bb Major) (Search)
Recommended Printed SourceG. Schirmer, "Samuel Barber: 65 Songs" (Search)
Sources CitedHeyman, B. (2012). Samuel Barber : A thematic catalogue of the complete works. New York: Oxford University Press. (Search)
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