Genevan Psalter
  • Felipe Gasper
    Posts: 804
    Are folks here much familiar with this collection of texts?

    There are some really great musical settings for these! Goudimel and Sweelinck seem to be the “main” ones. Goudimel especially: I think for *each* psalm there are: chorale, easy motet, “full” motet. (!)

    CPDL and IMSLP have some of it up, but a lot of it seems to be as yet unpublished in modern editions.
    Thanked by 1M. Jackson Osborn
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,311
    I think most of us would know Old Hundredth, which is the tune for "Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow. The music originated in the Genevan Psalter. Other than that, I don't know anything. :)
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    You can download the complete collection of Genevan Psalter settings at this link: Genevan Psalter Resource Center.

    A complete melody-only (complete Book of Praise English texts) is available in this PDF: Complete Anglo-Genevan Psalter.

    I should point out that it is Anglicans who used "Old Hundredth" for Psalm 100, when, in fact, the tune itself is given, not to Psalm 100, but Psalm 134 in the Genevan Psalter.
    Thanked by 2MatthewRoth Paul F. Ford
  • Felipe Gasper
    Posts: 804
    “Father, we thank thee who hast planted” is Psalm 118 (and 66 and 98) in the original set as well.

    The settings of Goudimel in particular seem a fantastic, untapped resource for smaller choirs that want to begin singing polyphony. Charles, thank you for the link!

    Per a CD I have of Genevan Psalter settings, Goudimel also wrong longer, more extended motets on the same texts, but I don’t find these resources online. For example, there apparently are at least three Psalm 128 settings: chorale, simple polyphony (one verse), and complex polyphony with the melody in the tenor at the opening (full text).
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    I should point out that it is Anglicans who used "Old Hundredth" for Psalm 100, when, in fact, the tune itself is given, not to Psalm 100, but Psalm 134 in the Genevan Psalter.


    The original name is EVEN OLDER 134TH
    Thanked by 2madorganist Ben
  • madorganist
    Posts: 906
    In addition to Psalms 118 and 134 mentioned above, most folks here will already know a few others melodies from the Genevan Psalter:

    Psalm 42 as a German/English Advent hymn (probably sung too quickly!):
    http://youtu.be/miXGXISRgxg?t=1m31s

    Psalm 68 as famous German chorale used in the Orgelbüchlein:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AWihu3RKo

    Psalm 124 with "Turn Back, O Man" and other English texts:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52uhDgtxJ_k

    Psalm 138 with "Sing Praise to God":
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS67EtpatNY

    And the Canticle of Simeon:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgRJwy9oTDc

    Wonderful tunes for congregational singing, all of them! Like the old German chorales, they can be found in both "rhythmic" and "isometric" versions, for example this rendition of Psalm 42:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA9cN6CVl5w
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    German/English Advent hymn (probably sung too quickly!):


    I cannot remember ever in my entire life hearing any hymn played on an organ and thinking "gosh - that was played too fast."
    Thanked by 2nun_34 CharlesW
  • madorganist
    Posts: 906
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLqccIZFc-Y
  • Protasius
    Posts: 468
    German/English Advent hymn (probably sung too quickly!):

    I cannot remember ever in my entire life hearing any hymn played on an organ and thinking "gosh - that was played too fast."

    I can - the first Mass I played on the organ alone without supervising organ teacher, I played "Lobe den Herren" as recessional hymn too fast and after the first phrase waited several seconds for the congregation to join me; I then proceeded slower - in their tempo.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    I pick up the tempo on hymns. I have horned sopranos who will drag everything to death if I don't. ;-)

    I like the Genevan Psalter and have used those psalms for introits, on occasion, when they fit.
    Thanked by 1Salieri
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    I like the Genevan Psalter and have used those psalms for introits, on occasion, when they fit.

    I do that sometimes with Tate & Brady (or Sternhold & Hopkins). It actually works quite well.
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
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