Year That Trembled was composed for Chorus Polaris as a companion piece to their performance of Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore for chorus, organ, and brass. Rather than choosing another psalm to pair with the original vesper psalms, the composer turned to Walt Whitman, who could be described as an American psalmist who remains hopeful and confident about his ideals regardless of the personal and national trauma he endures. Whitman's poetry is also very applicable to contemporary culture, as we define and re-define American culture. The poem and setting are vividly dark and tumultuous, but ends more mournful and contemplative as we ask ourselves if we must change our "triumphant songs"
