That Crieth
Patrick Castillo
About this work:
"That Crieth" was composed for the Pharos Music Project. The work received its premiere on October 29, 2005, at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York, NY. The performance was given by the Pharos Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Scott Williamson, and featuring the following soloists: Martha Sullivan (soprano), Rhesa Williams (alto), Neil Farrell (tenor), and Michael Conley (bass). The performance heard here is a live recording of the premiere.
"That Crieth" juxtaposes Gospel passages with excerpts from Oscar Wilde's "Salome."
TEXTS
Salome How good to see the moon! She is like a little piece of money, a little silver flower. She is cold and chaste. I am sure she is a virgin. She has the beauty of a virgin. Yes, she is a virgin. She has never defiled herself. She has never abandoned herself to men...
MATTHEW 11
7 … What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
…
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
MATTHEW 3
2 … Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Salome What a strange voice! I would speak with him.
...
Salome I desire to speak with him.
...
Salome I will speak with him.
...
Salome Bring forth this prophet.
MATTHEW 3
7 … O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Iokanaan Where is he whose cup of abominations is now full? Where is he, who in a robe of silver shall one day die in the face of all people? Bid him come forth, that he may hear the voice of him who hath cried in the waste places and in the houses of kings.
...
Salome How wasted he is! He is like a thin ivory statue. He is like an image of silver. I am sure he is chaste, as the moon is. He is like a moonbeam, like a shaft of silver. His flesh must be very cold, cold as ivory... I would look closer at him.
...
Salome I must look at him close.
LUKE 3
10 … What shall we do then?
11 … He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Salome Speak again, Iokanaan. Thy voice is as music to mine ear.
...
Salome Speak again! Speak again, Iokanaan, and tell me what I must do.
MATTHEW 3
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Salome I will kiss thy mouth, Iokanaan.
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Salome Suffer me to kiss thy mouth, Iokanaan.
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Salome Suffer me to kiss thy mouth.
MARK 1
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
JOHN 1
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Herodias ...This prophet talks like a drunken man,... but I cannot suffer the sound of his voice. I hate his voice.
...
Herod It may be he is drunk with the wine of God.
Perusal score and copies for performance are available directly from the composer.
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus, Unaccompanied
Instrumentation: 2 S,1 S soloist(s), 2 A,1 A soloist(s), 2 T,1 T soloist(s), 2 B,1 B soloist(s)