Sax Octets

Hear my Prayer

Henry Purcell, arr. Peter Guthrie

Composed:
1682 Arranged:
2002 Grouping:
SSAATTBb Duration:
01:40

Purcell wrote this setting of the first verse of Psalm 102 at the beginning of his tenure as Choirmaster at Westminster Abbey. Originally written for a cappella choir, the words "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee" are reflected in the mournful phrase repeated through the parts. The piece reaches a discordant climax in the final repetition before fading back to a conclusion.

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