VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: TONGUES OF FIRE (1985)
“Voice of the Holy Spirit” was recorded for the album “Classical Brubeck” with Dave Brubeck, London Voices, and the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Russell Gloyd.
OVERVIEW
Voice of the Holy Spirit is an oratorio by Dave Brubeck with text from the Bible and additional text by Iola Brubeck. Subtitled, “Tongues of Fire”, this piece tells the dramatic story of Pentecost. The first half of the work depicts the narrative of the Pentecost, and the latter half reflects on the message of Christian love.
“Undoubtedly the first question that will come to the listener's mind is who or what in this piece of music actually represents the Voice of the Holy Spirit. Like the Spirit itself, there are mysteries in the answer. In a musical perspective, every voice or instrument is a representation of the Spirit, which seeks to establish harmony and order out of unstructured sound. Philosophically, the voice of the Holy Spirit speaks through the Biblical text. The baritone soloist and chorus often exchange roles . . . together they recall, through the narrative of Acts 2, the dramatic circumstances of Pentecost.”
— Dave Brubeck, from Hinshaw Music publication, 1985, p. i.
Reflections on love as a theme in ‘When I was a Child’:
“I truly believe that if I, like the Thomas Mann version of the Faust legend, were given the power to create a perfect music, . . . and have not love, I am nothing. Aware that we have been 'purchased and at what price,' Paul's sublime treatise on love has guided me in life, and in this instance, has led me musically back to the childlike simplicity of a game song.”
— Dave Brubeck, from Hinshaw Music publication, 1985, p. i.
DETAILS
(1985) 55 min.
Voice of the Holy Spirit: Tongues of Fire
1. Prelude
2. Full Authority
3. Witnesses
4. Pentecost
5. Tongues of Fire
6. New Wine
7. Peter’s Sermon
8. Silver and Gold
9. Greater Gifts
10. Though I Speak with the Tongues
11. When I Was a Child
12. For Those Who Love God
13. Be Strong in the Lord
14. Benediction
INSTRUMENTATION
Baritone Soloist
SATB
111(opt. bcl.)2;/1211/2perc.timp/str
optional jazz improvisation
MUSIC
Dave Brubeck
TEXT
The Bible, additional text by Iola Brubeck
Brubeck was assisted in his research for the composition by Dr. Barry Fell of the Epigraphic Society, Dr. John Heller, Marie Corbin, and his daughter Catherine and her friends in The Way Ministry.
COMMISSION
National Association of Pastoral Musicians for its 8th annual convention in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985.
WORLD PREMIERE
June 27, 1985 at the Cincinnati Convention-Exposition Center.
Performers:
The Cincinnati Choral Society, prepared by Richard Hynson
St. Edwards Music Ministry of Richmond, Virginia, prepared by Richard Barnett
Baritone soloist, William Justice
The Dave Brubeck Quartet with Bill Smith, clarinet, Chris Brubeck, bass, and Randy Jones, drums
Convention orchestra, conducted by Russell Gloyd
ARRANGEMENTS & INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS
New Wine
An instrumental version of “New Wine” was recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and the Montreal International Jazz Festival Orhcestra, released on the Musicmasters compact disc “New Wine”.
Listen here.
Benediction
for SATB, a capella (optional piano)
Although originally composed as an ending for Voice of the Holy Spirit, this work has been more regularly used separately as a benediction.
Purchase & Sample Sheet Music
In the Name of the Father (Full Authority)
for Mixed Voices, SATB, Baritone Solo (Opt.), with Keyboard
Purchase & Sample Sheet Music
Though I Speak with the Tongues of Men and of Angels
for SATB, a capella
Using a text from I Corinthians, Dave creates an unusual web of musical lines — he weaves in and out of dissonances before coming to rest at strategic points of the text. Although labeled for a cappella presentation, doubling of voice parts is also appropriate. A dramatic treatment of this well-known biblical text from Dave’s larger work Voices of the Holy Spirit.
PURCHASE & LICENSING
For more information contact Derry@BrubeckMusic.com
LINER NOTES FROM 2002 RECORDING OF “CLASSICAL BRUBECK”:
The Voice of the Holy Spirit, subtitled “Tongues of Fire,”musically tells the story of Pentecost, as set down in the book of Acts. The power of the Holy Spirit descends upon Christ's disciples in rushing wind and tongues of fire. Suddenly finding themselves able to speak and be understood in various contemporary languages, they begin preaching the gospel to people of diverse nationalities, "thus undoing," Brubeck notes, "the confusion and separateness imposed at the Tower of Babel."
For this dramatic scene, Brubeck chose John3:16 as representative of the message the apostles would have proclaimed. This was set in a number of languages specified in the biblical account, including Coptic, Libyan, ancient Greek, and Aramaic. The cynics' derisive suggestion that the speakers are drunk,"New Wine”, takes on the aspect of a drinking song and incorporates a particularly raucous Improvisation.
Though the Holy Spirit is the focus of this work, Brubeck has chosen not to have its voice represented exclusively by his soloist. “Every voice or instrument is a representation of that Spirit,” he says. “Philosophically, [it] speaks through the Biblical text. The baritone soloist and mixed chorus often exchange roles.” This fluidity of perspective continues throughout the work, which incorporates other events from the book of Acts along with some of the most famous passages from the letters of Paul, closing with a general blessing.
— Nick Jones