Meditation (Whatever Happens)

SATB and piano

One of the things I like most about a musical drone is that I always feel as if it invites me to really listen to the smaller pieces of architecture of a musical work; the microscopic details seem suddenly gargantuan in comparison to this one, constant thing that’s happening (in this case it’s the F-sharp pulsing in the piano) and we’re called on to contemplate these little things while we listen. This has always reminded me of some form of meditation, and when I combined some poems by Wendell Berry, that’s exactly what I was reminded of. I love the simple message in the poetry. It’s all love and beauty and gratitude; big things that might need to be somehow set in relief every now and then in order for us to figure out just exactly what they mean to each of us.

Meditation (Whatever Happens) was commissioned by the Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota (Garrett Lathe, conductor) and is the first in a planned series of choral works which use musical drones as a point of departure.

The Text

By Wendell Berry (b. 1934)

Whatever happens,
those who have learned
to love one another
have made their way
to the lasting world
and will not leave,
whatever happens. 

This then may be the prayer without ceasing,
this beauty and gratitude, this moment.

Nothing
Is given that is not
Taken, and nothing taken
That was not first a gift.

Nothing.

Performed by the Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota
(Garret Lathe, Conductor).