Nisi Dominus is a setting of the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

text of

Psalm 127 Psalm 127 is the 127th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Except the Lord build the house". In Latin, it is known by the incipit of its first 2 words, . It is one of 15 " Songs of Ascents" and the only on ...

(Vulgate 126) by George Friederic Handel. The name of the piece comes from the first two words (the '' incipit'') of the psalm, and it is catalogued in the composer's complete works as HWV 238. It was completed by 13 July 1707, and is one of a number of works he composed in Italy. It is most likely that'' Nisi Dominus'' was first performed on 16 July 1707 in the church of

Santa Maria in Montesanto Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto are two churches of Rome, churches in Rome. They are located on the Piazza del Popolo, facing the northern gate of the Aurelian Walls, at the entrance of Via del Corso on the square. The chu ...

, Rome, under the patronage of the Colonna family. In the concluding

doxology A doxology (Ancient Greek: ''doxologia'', from , '' doxa'' 'glory' and -, -''logia'' 'saying') is a short hymn of praises to God in various forms of Christian worship, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymns. The tradition derive ...

, Handel writes for eight voices in a double chorus and (uniquely in his output) a double string orchestra. A typical performance lasts almost 12 minutes.

Movements

The work has the following

movements Movement may refer to: Common uses * Movement (clockwork), the internal mechanism of a timepiece * Motion, commonly referred to as movement Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * "Movement" (short story), a short story by Nancy Fu ...

External links

Psalm 127 at ChoralWiki
Compositions by George Frideric Handel Psalm settings 1707 compositions {{classical-composition-stub

Movements

See also

External links