Psalm Offering 11 Opus 6
This Psalm Offering is dedicated to my oldest son, Andy. He is a man of integrity, and honesty. There are many qualities which Andy possesses too many to list. Those that stand out are intelligence, a skillful builder, and an artist in his trade. However, his greatest quality is his love and dedication to his beloved, Olivia, and their children. He has taught me more as a son than I will ever teach him as his father. He began to teach me the moment he was born. The doctor directed me to leave Ruth’s side (“you’re not going to be of any help to her, you know…”) and to stand behind him as she gave birth. As I stood directly behind the doctor, I saw Andy emerge from his mother’s body. I was dumbstruck with awe at the sacredness of his birth. The presence of God was so strong in that delivery room. From that moment on, I began to learn, with Andy as my teacher, the lessons of being a father. Blessed with four children, they are my professors in life, each an expert in their own particular way. However, Andy remains significant as the first of the four teachers.
The music was first conceived as a setting of the great Canticle from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As with many of these early settings of musical ideas, not much ever came of it until now. The tempo of the song is Presto con moto, literally “fast, with great movement.” From the very first notes, the tempo never variates in speed, but remains constant to the very last chord. The song is in simple 3 part, ABA, form, with variations on those two melodies every time they are restated. There is nothing subtle in this song, the melody strongly punctuated with syncopation, heavily articulated with accents, staccato, and both. If there is a metaphor for this music, it is like musical fireworks, flashes of accentuated melody, followed by booming chords. Perhaps this metaphor is all the more appropriated since I was busy composing this over the fourth of July weekend. The joy that permeates this music is only an indication of how joyful Andy has made my life.
