Ecumenical Meditation

An anthem of religious tolerance

Text from the Tolerance Edict of Milan; from Hindu, Jewish, Zorastrian, Buddhist, Byzantine, Roman, Islamic and Sikh traditions; and from the 14th Dalai Lama Instrumentation:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Cello
• Piano
• SATB Choir

A piano accompaniment part is included and can be used for rehearsal purposes or if other instrumentalists are not available, for performance. This is different from the piano part to be used when all instrumentalists are present.

SHIP TO ME INCLUDES 10 OCTAVOS

Text Here.

The composer writes…

When Piero Borodin asked me to write a choral composition for the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Nikomedia, I was honored, intrigued and daunted. The commemoration at Carnuntum offered the chance for instruments and choir to sound among the archaeological ruins. The themes of religious tolerance and historical examination suggested auspicious possibilities for mood and text. Yet these big subjects also posed questions: could I say something timeless and timely; universal and particular; and could I fashion music to engage listeners from diverse spiritual traditions?

Whatever the shortcomings of this composition, I hope that people from any faith tradition may find in it a basis for deeper reflection and a sincere encouragement of religious tolerance.

Christopher J. Hoh, Vienna, March 2011