Lili Boulanger

Psaume CXXIX (Psalm 129) for Baritone Solo and Piano

The short-lived and brilliant composer Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) wrote three works that set specific Psalms to text. Psaume CXXIX (PSALM 129) was composed in 1916, between the other two. The text of the Psalm, "Ils m'ont assez opprimé dès ma jeunesse" ("Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up") was clearly chosen to relate to the ongoing conflict, World War I. The work is aggressive and uncompromising, with some resemblance to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, which she knew well. While Lili's sister Nadia Boulanger later wrote a version for chorus and orchestra that has become more popular, Lili's original was for written for baritone voice with orchestral accompaniment. While the orchestral version premiered on January 17, 1923 with a vocal ensemble under the direction of Henri Büsser, this piano accompaniment version premiered on June 9, 1921 in Paris' Le Pleyel Room, with baritone Henry Albers and Nadia Boulanger at the piano. Reprint edition.