Voices of Light
a new work for Chorus and Orchestra
Here is the text to Voices of Light, a World Premiere commissioned by Westminster Choir College in honor of its 75th Anniversary. The 5 texts are by 13th century mistics, both women.
I. Humanity Sings
Effortlessly
Love flows from God into humankind.
Like a bird
Who rivers the air
Without moving her wings.
Thus we move in this world.
One in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.
As the Source strikes the note.
Humanity sings-
The Holy Spirit is our harpist,
And all strings
Which are touched in Love
Must sound.
- Mechtid of Magedeburg
II. In the Infinite
All things
are too small
to hold me,
I am so vast.
In the Infinite
I reach
for the Uncreated
I have touched it,
it undoes me
wider than wide
Everything else
is too narrow
You know this well
you who are also there
- Hadewijch II
III. The Oneness Within
You who want
knowledge,
seek the Oneness
within
There you
will find
the clear mirror
already waiting
- Hadewijch II
IV. The Naked Circle
Tighten
to nothing
the circle
that is
the world's things
Then the Naked
circle
can grow wide,
enlarging,
embracing all
- Hadewijch II
V. How God Comes to the Soul
I descend on my love
As dew on a flower.
- Mechtild of Magdeburg
