The David Albracht Project Continues With 'Psalm 142'
The David Albracht Project has released the next in its series of Psalms set to music. 'Psalm 142' is available now on all streaming platforms from the long running musical project.
The David Albracht Project, formerly known as The David/Asaph Project, had its start in Dallas, Texas in the late 1990’s. The project composes and records new music for the biblical psalms. The lyrics for each musical setting are taken directly, without paraphrase, from the King James Version translation.
"The idea of putting music to the Psalms occurred to me many years ago after reminiscing about beautiful 'bible songs' sang in the church of my youth (Christian Assembly Church, Amarillo, TX). My favorite songs then were Psalm 100 (Make a joyful noise unto the Lord...) and a part of Psalm 20 (Some trust in chariots…) I wondered why such songs seemed to be rare. I speculated that setting English translation bible verses to music was particularly challenging because of limitations in rhyme and meter. Something compelled me that day to attempt composing a new melody for portions of Psalm 46. The result astonished me as my prior attempts to compose music in other genres failed. That day was a turning point in my life. It was as if a light was turned on inside my heart and in my head. I have been composing new music for the psalms ever since”.
In late 2019, David began recording music for his most ambitious project yet: a musical tribute to The Psalm Book of Charles Knowles, originally published in 1957. Artwork from the book caught David's eye while he was looking for album cover art and the story drew him in further. Charles Knowles was a high school student when he created this remarkable book and died a year later following a lifelong battle with chronic nephritis. Recordings for the album were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023. This tribute album features musical settings of Charles's favorite Psalms: Psalm 1, Psalm 8, Psalm 47, Psalm 110, Psalm 121, Psalm 137, Psalm 142, and Psalm 150. This music will be released through 2025 and into 2026.
David Albracht is in talks to develop a documentary film about the life of Charles Knowles and the creation of his book.
