Lord of the Winds and the Water
Instrumentation
Duration
Performance Information
Score
Program Notes
This piece was a finalist in the 2025 Ensemble Altera Competition, and was revised on commission from Dr. Andy Crane and the BYU Singers. It is based on the famous “calming of the storm” passage from Luke 5:22-25, in which Jesus subdues the wind and the waves.
This work should provide a rewarding challenge even for a professional choir. In order to depict the wind and water, I used a florid choral writing style reminiscent of Benjamin Britten (such as the finale of A Boy is Born). In places, the writing treats the choir as an orchestra of voices. The form is quite simple, and largely dictated by the text. The opening of the piece presents the first motive, representing the disciples; the second motive, representing Jesus, is heard after the initial crescendo. The longer, tumultuous storm section in the middle develops those motives, culminating in the climactic “Where is your faith?” After a pause, the initial section returns, and the piece finishes on a calm note.