Orchestration in Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms

Hanjin Sa
2-6-13

! Stravinsky uses the most refine and transparent orchestration in his work,
Symphony of Psalms. By excluding the Clarinets and upper strings (violins and viola),
the composer intends the dark and solemn atmosphere. Instead, he uses two pianos
and harp to make different musical effect and timbre. They function as different roles in
the first and the last movement. In the second movement, the composer doesn’t use
them to make the fugal texture more transparent and to have more blended sound
between winds and the choir. In the first and the third movement, Hp and Pf function as
three different roles; substituting the violins and violas, playing the chord/harmony and
doubling the winds. The final pages of the Symphony of Psalms, the pianos, harp, and
timpani are moving slowly back and forth through three notes (E-flat, B-flat, F), like the
solemn tolling of church bells while the chorus intones its words of praise. It is all the
more impressive for being slow, quiet, austere, and repetitive. In the third movement, a
fanfare of horns and bassoons erupts as motor section (start from Reh.3 and again
Reh.13) , with grandeur and immediacy.
! The fanfare carries scales and glissandos and numerous rhythmic figures,
especially the woodwind triplet figure which sudden appears and just as quickly
subsides. In the second movement, Stravinsky uses orchestration as color painting.
Different groups of instruments creates different layers and timbres in this fugal
movement leaving the choir to be solidly autonomous.
! The subtle use of orchestration is exemplary in the first movement. The softer
dynamics and the sharp articulations make the orchestra never overpower the choir.
Stravinsky was very keen to the balance between the orchestra and the choir, so even
in the loud section the choir should be clearly heard independently. Also, he doubles
choir with very limited number of instruments and in the limited places only to enhance
the sound, so the choir can be the leading voice.