Psalm Prelude
A paraphrase of Psalm 40 for Organ

Composer Craig Phillips
Price $14 (U.S.) Released 6/04
Difficulty Moderately difficult
Catalog no. 160-875
Discography: Sinfonia Festiva (Summit-DCD436), Paul Skevington, organist

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Review
"This work stands in marked contrast to the above mentioned partita [Partita on LOBE DEN HERREN]--technically it is more approachable and, harmonically, it brings to mind Howells in several places. The music is gentle, paraphrasing Psalm 40:1-3. Registration is set up for a two-manual instrument, so adapt away on anything else. The music builds to a crescendo about two-thirds of the way through the piece and winds its way back to the beginning. This would make a good meditative voluntary or contrasting piece in a recital." --AAM Journal, May/June 2008

Description
An expressive and lyrical paraphrase of the opening verses of Psalm 40: "I waited patiently upon the Lord; he stooped to me and heard my cry...He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord." Phillips moves the work through several key signatures in effectively painting the ethos of the text. The piece ends softly yet assuredly, just as it begins. Not difficult, but will require careful preparation of registration.