This piece is based on Psalm 130, also known as “De Profundis”.
One of the main poetic devices used in the Psalms is parallelism, as in symmetry or
opposites (antithetic parallelism).
My composition concept is to translate this idea of parallelism musically by using certain
techniques such as repetition and restatement, amplification, and contrast or opposition.
Psalm 130 is often described as a canticle of gradual ascent (Shir Hamma’a lot). This ascent can be understood as a rise from the abyss to redemption.
I believe this Psalm could resonate with many, even non-believers, as it shows a universal and tragic part of human life and human nature. That is the experience of grief, depression, abuse, solitude or simply being in a place so dark that leads to despair.
But it also sends a message of light, optimism, and hope, through the conviction that one will be heard.
Even if it originally comes from the Hebrew tradition it shows universal values that can be embraced by many cultures and promote tolerance and acceptance.
In fact, this psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies.
In this sense, during the piece the text follows a chronological use and adaptation throughout Judaism and the different versions of Christianism: Latin: Rule of Saint Benedict (c.530 AD); German: Martin Luther Hymns (1524); and eventually the English: King James Version (1610)