Movement II starts with a lyric solo (Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my Shepherd”) by a boy alto or countertenor, accompanied by harp. This is repeated by the women, but is suddenly interrupted by a warlike outburst from the men (Psalm 2 – “Why do the nations rage?”) The violence grows distant, but it continues softly while, above it, the women resume Psalm 23 “blissfully unaware of the threat.”

– Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Chichester Psalms (Second Movement)

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director
Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Countertenor
Andrew Henderson, Organ
Victoria Drake, Harp
Barry Centanni, Percussion

Recorded live in performance on May 17, 2018, The Church of the Ascension
The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.