New Psalms for S.S.A.A.T.T.B.B. Chorus, A Capella
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The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament is a collection of 150 ancient lyrical poems intended for prayer and worship of the Jehovah God. The title is derived from the Greek word Psalmoi, which stands for “words sung to a stringed instrument.” In a broader sense it also stands for ‘songs of praise’. In New Psalms, the composer, also the lyricist, incorporated biblical motifs into a reimagined set of poems and music. Let There Be is based on the first chapter of the book of Genesis, which paints a beautiful scene of the creation of the world. Its iconic phrase “Let there be” thereby formed the underlying backbone of the poem. The music notes unfold via a process influenced by the Fibonacci Sequence and the Lucas Sequence, creating a sonic flux of ebb and flows dictated by the order of the sequences. The numbers are known for their association with underlying geometrical proportions in nature and biology. Their mathematical golden spirals make a fitting symbol for this movement depicting creation. Fisherman on a Rock appropriates New Testament motifs into an anecdotal poem. Using ‘fisherman’ as an example; It has significance that extends beyond the traditional meaning of the word. Firstly, a number of the disciples of Jesus were fishermen in trade before being called to ministry. Also, in the book of Matthew, Jesus told Simon Peter and Andrew that he would make them ‘fishers of men’. Thus the word in the New Testament also carries a metaphorical meaning of evangelism. The poem tells of the interactions of a fisherman on a rock and the fishermen of the sand, and the onset of a terrible tempest that utterly destroyed the latter, but the former survived because of the strength of a rock foundation. The music highlights the drama and narrative presented in the story.
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Abstract -- Text -- Performing instruction -- Music score -- Vita
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M.M. (Master of Music)