How do you feel about classical music?

When I’m doing tasks like cooking, exercising or cleaning.

When I’m reading or studying, for example.

When I’m relaxing, sleeping or just “hanging out.

When I’m paying attention solely to the music

When does listening to music bring you the most joy?

I attend a few shows a year, but it’s not a large part of my life.

I regularly attend live shows and can’t get enough of them.

Do you enjoy live music?

I know what I like and rarely stray from my favorites.

I’m open to new things, but there are classics for a reason.

I relish discovering the new and unfamiliar.

When it comes to listening to music …

I like folk, bluegrass and more traditional forms.

If it’s improvised and cool, I’m there.

If I’m not listening to classical music, I’m listening to …

Rooted in Black music history in the Americas and worldwide.

Going beyond Western Europe traditions, often influenced by folk music.

Drawing from traditional music of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and more.

Delving into traditional music of Native Americans and other First Nations.

Surveying traditional music of Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Exploring traditional music cultures from around the world.

I'd like to learn more about music from:

Take a 2 minute quiz to share your taste

We'll recommend YourClassical programming just for you

Discover the power and joy of classical music

Man playing violin

Start the quiz

We can help you find classical music you'll love

Learning to Listen: Psalm Settings

On today's Learning to Listen, you'll hear Psalm settings from throughout the history of music, beginning in the 15th century.

 by Igor Stravinsky, a powerful work he wrote in 1930. Boston Symphony music director Serge Koussevitsky commissioned the work to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ensemble.

Koussevitsky didn't want Stravinsky to write a symphony with chorus, but Stravinsky did it anyway. Perhaps to appease Koussevitsky, Stravinsky made sure to include text from the popular 150th Psalm:



Praise Him in the firmament of His power.


Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.


Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet:


Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.


Praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals,


Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.


Three hundred years earlier, late-Renaissance composer Claudio Monteverdi wrote his 

You'll hear Stravinsky, Monteverdi and more on Learning to Listen, as we celebrate choral music with Voices of Spring on Classical MPR this April.

Gallery

{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

Emily Reese

In the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament, there are 150 Psalms. With texts like "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet", it's no wonder so many composers set Psalms to music. We'll hear a number of them on this week's Learning to Listen.


Psalm settings from the 1500s to Stravinsky

Like this?

Like this?

Program Playlist

Love the music?

Your Donation

We can help you find classical music you'll love