Commissioned and Empowered

for SATB Choir

Duration: 5:00 min.

Text: Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 12:1b-3, Matthew 28:18b-20, and Luke 3:34, 38

Program Notes:

My idea for Commissioned and Empowered came out of meditating on the relationship between Old Testament and New Testament Biblical texts with related themes. It occurred to me that, while many composers bring out the meaning of individual Biblical texts, or even bring together prophecy and fulfilment (such as Händel in Messiah), fewer combine Old and New Testament texts more subtly bound together by thematic material or archetypal situations. This piece is my first exploration of such a possibility, bringing together three life-defining commissions God has given to his people, accompanying them with assurance of his continued presence and empowerment. Rather than setting each text as its own song, I chose to interweave them in ways that would allow the listener to contemplate the similarities and differences of how God has interacted with people throughout the ages. I hope this will also provide a fresh perspective on God's current purpose for his people on earth, incorporating texts from both Testaments, yet with a perspective that allows listeners to contemplate how the Old Testament portions may be taken in light of New Testament ones.

Texts:

Genesis 1:27-28 (KJV)

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them.

And God blessed them,

and God said unto them,

Be fruitful, and multiply,

and replenish the earth, and subdue it:

and have dominion over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over every living thing

that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 12:1b-3 (KJV)

Get thee out of thy country,

and from thy kindred,

and from thy father's house,

unto a land that I will shew thee:

I will make of thee a great nation,

and I will bless thee,

and make thy name great;

and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee,

and curse him that curseth thee:

and in thee shall all families of the earth

be blessed.

Matthew 28:18b-20 (KJV)

All power is given unto me

in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe

all things whatsoever

I have commanded you:

and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.

Luke 3:34, 38 (KJV)

...which was the son of Abraham...

...which was the son of Adam,

which was the son of God.