Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix : Psalm 98 MWV A 23 (Op. 91) “Singet dem Herrn”

The 98th Psalm is one of Mendelssohn’s church-music works which is hard to categorize. Just like the Lobgesang Cantata, which unites the symphonic form and the chorale cantata, the 98th Psalm joins the motet and cantata forms into a highly expressive unity. The work begins in eight parts a cappella and leads to a vigorous orchestral movement. The use of the harp in Romantic church music was innovative and provocative in Mendelssohn’s day. The piano-vocal score made by Mendelssohn himself was completed by Michael Obst, who reduced the introductory a cappella chorus for rehearsal purposes.