This text, taken from the Bible, is a transcription of the “burning bush” tale. However, I’ve chosen to keep the dialogue one sided - Moses’ replies to God are not included in this piece. The “imparting” is two fold: God reveals his name to Moses and He also promises that He will deliver His people from Egypt.

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The opening motive of this work is pervasive throughout. The augmented chord resolves by half step movement in different voices each time, leading to different tonalities. This “God Theme” reveals itself in the opening, middle, and ending portions of this piece, being surrounded by narrative “chant-like” moments and diatonic explosions of color on the word “wonders.” The spoken, breathy inclusions of text represent the endless whispers and the timeless presence of God.

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A performance program can be downloaded here.

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TEXT:

I am that I am.
I am the god of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
I have seen the misery of my people; their pain has become my pain.
I have come down to deliver them and bring them to the land that I have promised.

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I will send… you.
I will teach you what to say.
This is my name forever,
The name you shall call me:
I am that I am.

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I shall be with you when you deliver my people.
I will stretch out my hand and reveal all my wonders.

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I shall be with you,
I am that I am.

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Conducted by: Hana Cai

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