Robert L. Edwards, Conductor, Consultant, Photographer

Alberto Ginastera “Psalm 150”

Ginastera Psalm 150
Alberto Ginastera was a significant 20th-Century composer who self-identified with nationalism and neo-expressionism. He worked largely in a polytonal and somewhat conservative avante garde world. He is known best for his Piano Sonata, two Piano Concertos, two operas including the scandalous Bomarzo and his setting of the Passion story entitled Turbae which was commissioned by the Philadelphia Mendelssohn Club in 1975, receiving its premier performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Robert Page conducting.


Alberto Ginastera excerpts “Psalm150”
 - Live Performance
Greater Hazleton Oratorio Society, Scranton Singers Guild
Robert L. Edwards
- 1984

(If the performance excerpt does not begin to play automatically within 30 seconds, you can click this link. "Ginastera Psalm 150 excerpts" .)

The Psalm 150, written early in Ginastera’s career, stands in total contrast to his mature writings. Characterized by mild polytonality, soaring chant-like melodies and a style of tone painting that looks back to the Renaissance, the Psalm 150 is a colorful, readily accessible setting for double choirs of the Biblical "Song of Musicians." The work is in two parts: the first presenting the full Psalm text and the second part a fifty-four measure "Alleluia."

Ginaster Psalm 150 score 


In order to provide permanent documentation of the important sociological and musical contributions of the Greater Hazleton Oratorio Society, Singers’ Guild of Scranton and Sinfonia da Camera to the lives of residents in Northeastern Pennsylvania, some of the 1977-1986 live performance analog recordings of these community groups were rescued, restored, and converted to a digital format. Those restorations and the performance excerpts that appear on this website are intended as historical documents not as an entertainment product. The copying or dissemination of these excerpts is strictly prohibited.

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