Canticle: Mosaic in Remembrance and Hope (2002) was commissioned by the Harvard University Ministry (now the Harvard Chaplains) for the university’s public observation of the one year memorial of the events of September 11, 2001. It was premiered by the Choral Fellows in Tercentenary Theatre to an audience of more than 10,000. The texts for this work come from principal writings of five religious faiths (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, and Baha-i) on the themes of “remembrance, hope, and peace.” The texts were submitted by Harvard representatives of those faith traditions. The composition’s title describes the way in which these excerpts from the different religious texts are put together—in the manner of a mosaic or collage, rather than any kind of traditional narrative. An extract from the Kaddish prayer (Jewish faith) serves as a sort of ritornello; it recurs throughout between the other sections. The musical material of that ritornello (two parts in contrary motion, using a mixed-mode scale) is the a generating force for the rest of the composition’s musical material. The flute plays a significant role throughout: it serves as another voice—reacting with, joining in, and spurring on the choir.

Text:

May the One who makes peace in the heavens bring peace to us.
(from the Kaddish prayer, Jewish faith)
Let them see no one as their enemy or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends… Bestir yourselves! Do all in your power to be as one, to live in peace, each with the others: for ye are all the drops of but one ocean, the pearls of but one shell… The flowers and herbs from but one garden…
(from Abdu’l Baha, Baha-i faith)
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
(Psalm 34:14 and 46:1, Christian faith)
What actions are most excellent? To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, to remove the wrongs of the injured. That person is the most beloved of God.
(the prophet Muhammad, Muslim faith)
Watch the thought and its way with care, and let it spring from love out of concern for all beings.
(the Buddha, Buddhist faith)
May the One who makes peace in the heavens bring peace to us.