Dixit Dominus

Francisco Valls' Dixit Dominus is a setting of Psalm 109, a powerful text from the Vespers liturgy. This substantial work, written for SSAT.SATB choir, draws on the rich tradition of Catholic sacred music. The Latin text, which speaks of God's promise to his anointed, his dominion over enemies, and his eternal priesthood, is treated with grandeur and dramatic flair. Valls' skillful handling of the vocal forces allows for both intricate polyphony and soaring homophonic passages, creating a compelling musical expression of the psalm's weighty theological pronouncements. It is a significant example of the motet form within the sacred choral repertoire.