The ten Biblical Songs op. 99 are the culmination of Antonn Dvorks song output. This unique cycle, based on Czech Psalm texts from the Kralice Bible, was composed in the United States in 1894. Although Dvork had already set a number of biblical texts to music, his versions for solo voice with piano accompaniment are the first of their kind in his oeuvre. All the songs share a deep empathy with the meaning of the words and a meticulous declamation of the Czech language.

The principal source for this new edition is the Simrock first print of 1895, which contains a separate music staff with altered notation for the German and English translations. This solution, sanctioned by the composer himself, reflects Dvorks essential view of linguistic declamation.

In our previous edition there was only one music staff and the translation attempted to imitate the Czech declamation. In contrast, our new edition has language-specific alternatives directly in the notation, as in the Simrock print.

Contents:

Clouds and darkness are round about Him

Lord, Thou art may refuge and my shield

Hear my prayer O Lord, my God!

God is my shepherd

I will sing new songs of gladness

Hear my prayer, O Lord

By the waters of Babylon

Turn Thee to me and have mercy

I will lift mine eyes up to the mountains

Sing ye a joyful song unto the Lord