Vidi Aquam
For SATB a cappella (2004) 4’30”
Text: Antiphon (Latin)
Premiered June 9, 2006, New York, NY; C4, the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective, conducted by Phillip Cheah.
Program Notes
The vidi aquam is traditionally sung in Easter Season during the sprinkling of the congregation before Mass. The image of water flowing from a temple is an allegory for the blood of Christ and its power of salvation. My setting draws much from the sound of medieval music in its imitative texture, prominence of open fifths, and use of a cantus firmus (tenor voice, in the “Gloria” ). The latter is taken from the fluidly (!) chromatic opening motif on the title words which provides the germ for the piece and is present in some form at almost every moment.
Vidi Aquam
Antiphon (Latin)
I saw water coming forth from the Temple from the right side, alleluia:
and all those were saved to whom that water came, and they shall say
alleluia, alleluia.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Vidi aquam egredientem de templo, a latere dextro, alleluia:
et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvi facti sunt, et dicent:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus; quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus.
Gloria Patri, et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum.
Amen