Alessandro Scarlatti's Dixit Dominus is a rare sacred work that isn't as famous as Vivaldi's Gloira but definitely is a beautiful piece of work.
This sacred work is based on the psalm 110; actually many other composers have also written music to this particular psalm incluidng Handel and Vivaldi. It's actually rather interesting that composers who write their own original interpretations of various famous pslams/prayers. This particular piece was written during the baroque period and features a beautiful choir with
Castrati vocalists.
Each movement is very short with each one being no more than three minutes long (one movement is a little over three minutes). The instruments featured in this piece include strings, guitar and a harpsichord. The instrumentation is beautiful but the choir hands down is the most beautiful part of this whole piece of work. Each movement is unique on its own with very catchy melodies and beautiful counterpoint.
There are a total of 7 movements:
1. Virgam virtutis
2. Teccum principium
3. Juravit Dominus
4. Dominus a dextris tuis
5. Judicabit in nationibus
6. De torrente in via bibet
7. Gloria Patri
Dixit Dominus Domino meo:
Has spoken - The Lord - to master - my:
Sede a dextris meis
sit - at - right (hand) - my
Donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum
until - I shall place - enemies - your - footstool - of feet - your
Virgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus ex Sion
the rod - of strength - your - shall send forth - The Lord - from Sion
Dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum
Reign [imperative] - in - the middle - of enemies - your
The second movement has a soprano vocalist that sings the fourth and fifth line of the pslam, praising the strength of the lord.
Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae
With you - (will be) the power - on - the day - of strength - your
The third movement is in a 3/4 (6/8?) time signature.
In splendoribus sanctorum ex utero ante luciferum genui te
In - the splendour - of the saints - out of - the womb - before - the morning star - I have born - you
Iuravit Dominus et non paenitebit eum:
has sworn - The Lord - and - not - he shall regret - it
Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech
You - are - priest - throughout eternity - according to - the order - of Melchisedech
Dominus a dextris tuis confregit in die irae suae reges
The Lord - on your right - will crush - in the day - of his anger - the kings
Iudicabit in nationibus
He will pass judgment - among - the nations
Implebit ruinas, conquassabit capita in terra multorum
He will complete - the ruin - he will crush - the leaders - in the land - of many (peoples)
De torrente in via bibet
From - the brook - by - the road - he will drink
Propterea exaltabit caput
Therefore - he shall lift up - (his) head.