Der 33. Psalm (The 33 Psalm), Op. 89, No. 2

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

"Nachklänge aus Davids Psalmen" (Echos from David's Psalms) was published in 1911 by William Hansen. The psalms set are the 23rd and 33rd psalms.

The 33 is unusual in nature, featuring the unique Malling harmonic language, blending romantic harmony with what I've been calling his own language of "Danish modality."

The text, from Psalm 33, being set is: "Praise the Lord with harp; * sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings. Sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage."

The piece is a sort of processional dance, darker in color than the text might imply. The outer sections are a sort of "fanfare," but again, it's darker than that.

The middle section sounds, at least to me, that you can see the damsels dancing with their timbrels. The colors of the Solo strings make an excellent solo voice for this section.

The opening material returns, and the piece concludes with a short Coda.

Again, I found this piece to satisfy in the same way that many Malling pieces do.

The score is attached below, as well as art depicting the Presentation, and several photos of Otto Malling, as seen in portraits of various ages.