This is my beloved Son

Description

This is my beloved Son (2003)

SATB, organ or unaccompanied
4′ duration
Text: II Peter I: 17, 19, King James Version
Commissioned by the American Composers Forum through the Faith Partners Program
Premiere—2003, by the Cathedral of Saint Paul Choir, James Biery, Director.
Published by ECS. Distributed by Canticle.

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From the Press:

Moving slightly beyond Christmas, to the close of the shortest possible Season after Epiphany, we find two versions of David Evan Thomas’s This is my beloved Son, one a cappella, the other chorally identical, but with a short organ introduction and accompaniment. The text is based on Peter’s recollection of the voice from the Mount of the Transfiguration, and his admonition to “take heed” to the shining light. The choral idiom is challenging but not daunting, and the scale of the piece (about three and a half minutes) manageable.

–Alan Lewis, Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, (Nov., 2007)

Program Note

The Transfiguration of Christ is told in the first three gospels, then echoed and amplified in II Peter: “For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, saying..” This verse before the words of God is important, like great applause which intensifies the ensuing silence. It is sung in this anthem by the organ.

Text

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Hear ye Him.