Duration: ca. 22′
Instrumentation: 2.0.2(1=alto sax, 2=tenor sax).Bcl(=bari sax).0 – 0.3.0.0 – 2perc (chimes/vibes/tom-toms; marimba/BD/antique cymbals/chimes) – hp.pno – SATB chorus – strings
Texts:
I. Blessings
Beati pauperes (“Blessed are the poor”)
Blessed are you who are poor
For yours is the kingdom of God
Blessed are you who hunger
For you shall be satisfied
Blessed are you who weep
For you shall laugh
Blessed are you when people hate, exclude, and revile you
When they despise you as evil on account of the Son of Man!
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy
Behold, your reward in heaven is great
For so did their fathers to the prophets
II. Woes
Woe to you who are rich
For you have received your comfort
Woe to you who are full
For you shall hunger
Vae vobis (“Woe to you”)
Woe to you who laugh
For you shall weep
Woe to you when all shall speak well of you
For so did their fathers to the false prophets
III. Mercies
But I say to you who hear:
Love your enemies
Do good to those who hate you
Bless those who curse you
Pray for those who abuse you
What does it profit you to love those who love you?
Even sinners do that
What does it profit you to treat well those who do you good?
Even sinners do that
What does it profit you to lend to those from whom you’ll receive?
Even sinners lend to sinners
But love your enemies
Do good
Lend
Expect nothing in return and your reward will be great
You will be sons of the Most High
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful
Eleison… (“Have mercy…”)
The Gospel According to St. Luke 6:20b-29, 32-35a, 36 (adapted and paraphrased by the composer)