Soaring sopranos look up to heaven at dawn.
Hello Levavi Oculos Meos - Herbert Howells (1892 - 1983)
Notes The subtitle of this wonderful comtemplative setting of verses from Psalm 121 is “Aubade for a Wedding” - a gentle Siciliano, with a massive Howellsian climax. Composed for a wedding in 1959 at Hereford Cathedral.
One of the longest organ introductions - a full one and three quarter minutes before the choir enter with soaring sopranos.
An Aubade is a sunrise song, a musical announcement of dawn.
Duration Approx 5 minutes
Performers required
- Soprano soloist accompanied by Organ
- Unison upper voices choir accompanied by Organ
Source of printed music
Levavi oculos meos in montes: unde veni et auxilium mihi.
Dominus custodit te al moni malo
I will lift up my eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.
[Verses from Psalm 121]
