Be Still and Know
Linda Tutas Haugen
About this work:
Be Still and Know was originally written for SATB choir and solo cello.
It was commissioned as part of the American Composers Forum
Faith Partners Program, funded by the Otto Bremer Foundation, and
premiered by the joint choirs of the Colonial Church of Edina and
Mount Zion Temple. In 2009, it was revised with the addition of piano,
and premiered by the Northwestern College
The text is taken from Psalm 46, in which the psalmist confesses trust
and hope in God. Though creation itself seems to be in great
upheaval, God continues to sustain, bless, and deliver his
people. God’s voice speaks directly as we are asked to Be still, or
Cease striving, and know or acknowledge God’s mighty and saving
acts.
Musically, the cello introduces the piece with a plaintive solo. The choir
quietly introduces the words Be still and know that I am God. This is
followed by a refrain set in Hebrew that occurs three times in the piece:
Adonai tz'vaot imanu; misgav lanu Elohei Ya’akov. (Adonai Almighty is
with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.)
During the third verse, the musical intensity increases as God’s power
is illustrated in the text. The composition eventually closes with a
return to the same musical material as the opening, but altered to
reflect a greater sense of peace.
Year composed: 2006
Duration: 00:06:47
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: SATB Chorus, Piano, Cello