Heiliger Dankgesang — Holy Song of Thanksgiving!

I have something special to share. 4 years ago, I began a massive choral project — one unlikely to be repeated in my remaining days on this planet — which has finally come to fruition.

I have so much to be thankful for, including a spectacular new recording by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir of “Heiliger Dankgesang” – a Holy Song of Thanksgiving — my 13 minute, choral adaptation of the 3rd movement of Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 132.

“Heiliger Dankgesang” is dedicated to German choral conductor Nicol Matt and the World Choir for Peace, and the German lyrics have been adapted from Psalm 116:

German: “Liebe erfüllt mich, weil mein Gott die Stimme meines Flehens erhört hat. Kehre zurück, meine Seele, in deine Ruh: denn mein Gott hat dir wohlgethan. Liebe erfüllt mich. O Freude, O Wonne, Die Sonne! O Freude, das ich am Leben bin. Liebe erfüllt mich.”

English translation: “I am filled with love, for my God has heard the voice of my supplication. Return, my soul, to your rest: for my God has made you well. I am filled with love. O Joy, O Bliss, the Sun! O Joy that I am alive. I am filled with love.”

NB: Beethoven created this deeply personal music after surviving a serious illness and wrote these words on the score: “Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der lydischen Tonart” (“Holy Song of Thanksgiving of a convalescent to the Deity, in the Lydian mode”).

I hope that those who are struggling with illness or injury might receive some solace and healing energy from this song.

Vielen dank, David