suitable for Passiontide; first performed in the choral version by Tonus Peregrinus and broadcast in 1996; duration: c.8'

This piece is part of a large-scale work for voices and orchestra (in collaboration with the librettist David Muir): there are versions for soprano & organ and six-part choir & organ. The words are taken from Psalms 42 and 43; the music is based on four pedal-points (E, C, G, E) above which the melody of the refrain alternates with passages that grow out of a repeating two-bar phrase.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, "Where is thy God?" When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise, with the multitude that kept holy day.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.