I could not write an oratorio about creation without including something from Proverbs 8. The first verses here are 1-4, an allegretto, strangely enough. Not every set of verses presents itself as recitative. The cymbal and wood blocks are an insistent invitation. Then there is an aria based on Proverbs 8:22-24, 27, 29-31. One thing I have noticed is that there are a large number of words in the Biblical song and one has to select representative texts for one's libretto. The aria is a duet between soprano and alto. Finally we finish with a choral conclusion verses 32, 34, and 35. I have put the chapter below from verses 22-35 to show what I left out as well. (Reminder - the whole score is here.)
Performing this work requires not only a musical commitment but an artistic and theological commitment as well. Would it be worth the effort? How would people react to the translation? Given the music is derived from the word itself, what would people think who are not musicians or are even anti-music?
As usual the recurring words show the rhetorical focus of the chapter. The final recurring word is 'find'. Wisdom is an active force seeking a response. We too are to seek her. I see that verses 1-4 are not in the full score in their primitive form so I have reproduced them below. The application of the deciphering key for these signs above and below the text always produces a suitable musical line.
Proverbs 8:1-4 interpreting the deciphering key of Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura |
How valuable it is to hear the Word of the Most High with its tone of voice, and realize that it is not the same voice that we have imagined. It is, of course, a voice of kindness, a voice of truth, a voice of love, and a voice of grief, calling all creation into everlasting praise.
I would just say - don't read without music - and don't imagine you are 'right'. You might not be.
Proverbs 8
Syllables: 59. Words: 27. Roots: 24. Root Recurrence: 22%. Average per verse: 1.5.
הֲלֹֽא־חָכְמָ֥ה תִקְרָ֑א וּ֝תְבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלָֽהּ |
1 Does not wisdom call, and understanding give her voice? |
|
a hloa-kcmh tqra utbunh titn qolh |
6 7 |
h/la
kcm\h
t/qra vt/bvn\h tt\n qvl\h |
בְּרֹאשׁ־מְרוֹמִ֥ים עֲלֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ בֵּ֖ית נְתִיב֣וֹת נִצָּֽבָה |
2 At the head, from the high ground,
by a way, the house of pathways, she stands firm. |
|
b braw-mromim yli-drç bit ntibot nixbh |
8 7 |
b/raw
m/rvm\im
yl\i
drc bit nt\ibvt nxb\h |
לְיַד־שְׁעָרִ֥ים לְפִי־קָ֑רֶת מְב֖וֹא פְתָחִ֣ים תָּרֹֽנָּה |
3 From the hand at the gates, to the
edge of the town, she shouts at the entrance of the doors. |
|
g lid-wyrim lpi-qrt mboa ptkim tronh |
8 8 |
l/id
wyr\im
l/p\i
qr\t m/bva ptk\im t/rn\h |
אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם אִישִׁ֣ים אֶקְרָ֑א וְ֝קוֹלִ֗י אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם |
4 To each and every one of you I
call, and my voice is to the children of humanity. |
|
d alicm aiwim aqra vqoli al-bni adm |
7 8 |
al\icm
aiw\im
a/qra v/qvl\i al bn\i adm |
Word / Gloss | 1 | 2 | 3 | Vs | Stem |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
תקרא call |
▒ |
1 | קרא | ||
קולה her voice
|
▒ |
1 | קול | ||
אליכם to you |
▒ |
4 | אל | ||
אקרא I call |
▒ |
4 | קרא | ||
וקולי and my voice is
|
▒ |
4 | קול | ||
אל to |
▒ |
4 | אל |
Proverbs 8
Syllables: 263. Words: 114. Roots: 77. Root Recurrence: 56%. Average per verse: 4.3.
יְֽהוָ֗ה קָ֭נָנִי רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכּ֑וֹ קֶ֖דֶם מִפְעָלָ֣יו מֵאָֽז |
22 Yahweh bought me, the beginning of his way, preceding his work from then. | |
cb ihvh qnni rawit drco qdm mpyliv maz |
9 7 |
ihvh qn\ni raw\it drc\v qdm m/pyl\iv m/az |
מֵ֭עוֹלָם נִסַּ֥כְתִּי מֵרֹ֗אשׁ מִקַּדְמֵי־אָֽרֶץ | 23 ♪g From everlasting I have offered libation from the beginning, out of the precedents of earth. | |
cg myolm niscti mraw mqdmi-arx | 12 |
m/yvlm nsc\ti m/raw m/qdm\i arx |
בְּאֵין־תְּהֹמ֥וֹת חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי בְּאֵ֥ין מַ֝עְיָנ֗וֹת נִכְבַּדֵּי־מָֽיִם |
24 When there were no abysses, I was birthed, when there were no springs, heavy with water. | |
cd bain-thomot kollti bain myiinot ncbdi-mim |
8 9 |
b/ain thm\vt kvl\lti b/ain m/yin\vt n/cbd\i mim |
לִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתִּי |
before the presence of hillocks, I was birthed. | |
lpni gbyot kollti |
8 |
l/pn\i gby\vt kvl\lti |
וְ֝רֹ֗אשׁ עָפְר֥וֹת תֵּבֵֽל |
or the preeminent fauna of the world. | |
vraw yprot tbl |
6 |
v/raw ypr\vt tbl |
בַּהֲכִינ֣וֹ שָׁ֭מַיִם שָׁ֣ם אָ֑נִי בְּח֥וּקוֹ ח֝֗וּג עַל־פְּנֵ֥י תְהֽוֹם |
27 In the establishing of the heavens, there am I, when he engraved the ambit on the face of the abyss. | |
cz bhcino wmiim wm ani bkuqo kug yl-pni thom |
9 9 |
bh/cin\v wmim wm ani b/kvq\v kvg yl pn\i thvm |
בַּ֝עֲז֗וֹז עִינ֥וֹת תְּהוֹם |
in the strength of the springs of the abyss. | |
byzoz yinot thom |
7 |
b/yzz yin\vt thvm |
בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ לַיָּ֨ם ׀ חֻקּ֗וֹ וּ֭מַיִם לֹ֣א יַֽעַבְרוּ־פִ֑יו בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ מ֣וֹסְדֵי אָֽרֶץ |
29 In his defining to the sea his decree, and the waters not to bypass his mandate, when he engraved the foundations of earth, | |
c't bwumo lim kuqo umim la iybru-piv bkuqo mosdi arx |
14 7 |
b/wvm\v l/im kq\v v/mim la i/ybr\v p\iv b/kvq\v mv/sd\i arx |
וָֽאֶהְיֶ֥ה אֶצְל֗וֹ אָ֫מ֥וֹן וָֽאֶהְיֶ֣ה שַׁ֭עֲשֻׁעִים י֤וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם מְשַׂחֶ֖קֶת לְפָנָ֣יו בְּכָל־עֵֽת |
30 And I was next to him as confidante, and I was reveling day by day, gamboling in his presence all the time, | |
l vahih axlo amon vahih wywuyim iom iom mwkqt lpniv bcl-yt |
7 9 10 |
va/hih axl\v amvn va/hih wy\wyim ivm ivm m/wkq\t l/pn\iv b/cl yt |
מְ֭שַׂחֶקֶת בְּתֵבֵ֣ל אַרְצ֑וֹ וְ֝שַׁעֲשֻׁעַ֗י אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י אָדָֽם פ |
31 ♪g gamboling in the world of his earth, reveling with the children of humanity. | |
la mwkqt btbl arxo vwywuyii at-bni adm p |
9 11 |
m/wkq\t b/tbl arx\v v/wy\wyi at bn\i adm |
וְעַתָּ֣ה בָ֭נִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִ֑י וְ֝אַשְׁרֵ֗י דְּרָכַ֥י יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ |
32 So now, children, hear of what is mine. Happy are those keeping my ways. | |
lb vyth bnim wmyu-li vawri drcii iwmoru |
8 9 |
v/yth bn\im wmy\v l\i v/awr\i drc\i i/wmr\v |
אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי אָדָם֮ שֹׁמֵ֪עַֽ֫ לִ֥י לִשְׁקֹ֣ד עַל־דַּ֭לְתֹתַי י֤וֹם ׀ י֑וֹם לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מְזוּזֹ֥ת פְּתָחָֽי |
34 ♪f Happy a human that has heard of what is mine, to be alert at my gateways day by day, to watch from the posts of my doors. | |
ld awri adm womy li lwqod yl-dltotii iom iom lwmor mzuzot ptkii |
8 8 8 |
awr\i adm wmy l\i l/wqd yl dl\tti ivm ivm l/wmr m/zvz\t ptk\i |
כִּ֣י מֹ֭צְאִי מָצָ֣א חַיִּ֑ים וַיָּ֥פֶק רָ֝צ֗וֹן מֵיְהוָֽה |
35 ♪B For who finds me finds life, and will draw forth acceptance from Yahweh. | |
lh ci moxai mxa kiim vipq rxon mihvh |
7 8 |
ci mxa\i mxa ki\im vi/pq rx\vn m/ihvh |
כָּל־מְ֝שַׂנְאַ֗י אָ֣הֲבוּ מָֽוֶת פ |
All who hate me love death. | |
cl-mwnaii ahbu mvvt p |
10 |
cl m/wna\i ahb\v mvt |
Word / Gloss | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Vs | Stem |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
יהוה Yahweh | ▒ | 22 | יהוה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ראשית the beginning of | ▒ | 22 | ראש | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
דרכו his way | ▒ | 22 | דרך | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
קדם preceding | ▒ | 22 | קדם | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מראש from the beginning | ▒ | 23 | ראש | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מקדמי out of the precedents of | ▒ | 23 | קדם | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ארץ earth | ▒ | 23 | ארץ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
באין when there were no | ▒ | 24 | אין | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
תהמות abysses | ▒ | 24 | תהום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
חוללתי I was birthed | ▒ | 24 | חול | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
באין when there were no | ▒ | 24 | אין | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מעינות springs | ▒ | 24 | עין | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מים water | ▒ | 24 | מים | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לפני before the presence of | ▒ | 25 | פנה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
חוללתי I was birthed | ▒ | 25 | חול | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לא not | ▒ | 26 | לא | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ארץ earth | ▒ | 26 | ארץ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
וראש or the preeminent | ▒ | 26 | ראש | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
תבל the world | ▒ | 26 | תבל | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בחוקו when he engraved | ▒ | 27 | חקק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
על on | ▒ | 27 | על | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
פני the face of | ▒ | 27 | פנה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
תהום the abyss | ▒ | 27 | תהום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
שחקים the skies | ▒ | 28 | שחק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ממעל from above | ▒ | 28 | על | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
עינות the springs of | ▒ | 28 | עין | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
תהום the abyss | ▒ | 28 | תהום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ומים and the waters | ▒ | 29 | מים | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לא not | ▒ | 29 | לא | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בחוקו when he engraved | ▒ | 29 | חקק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ארץ earth | ▒ | 29 | ארץ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ואהיה and I was | ▒ | 30 | היה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ואהיה and I was | ▒ | 30 | היה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
שעשעים reveling | ▒ | 30 | שעע | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
יום day by | ▒ | 30 | יום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
יום day | ▒ | 30 | יום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
משחקת gamboling | ▒ | 30 | שחק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לפניו in his presence | ▒ | 30 | פנה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בכל all the | ▒ | 30 | כל | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
משחקת gamboling | ▒ | 31 | שחק | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בתבל in the world of | ▒ | 31 | תבל | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ארצו his earth | ▒ | 31 | ארץ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ושעשעי reveling | ▒ | 31 | שעע | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בני the children of | ▒ | 31 | בן | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
אדם humanity | ▒ | 31 | אדם | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
בנים children | ▒ | 32 | בן | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
שמעו hear | ▒ | 32 | שמע | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לי of what is mine | ▒ | 32 | ל | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ואשרי happy are | ▒ | 32 | אשר | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
דרכי my ways | ▒ | 32 | דרך | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ישמרו those keeping | ▒ | 32 | שמר | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
שמעו hear | ▒ | 33 | שמע | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
אשרי happy | ▒ | 34 | אשר | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
אדם a human | ▒ | 34 | אדם | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
שמע that has heard | ▒ | 34 | שמע | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לי of what is mine | ▒ | 34 | ל | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
על at | ▒ | 34 | על | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
יום day by | ▒ | 34 | יום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
יום day | ▒ | 34 | יום | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
לשמר to watch | ▒ | 34 | שמר | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מצאי who finds me | ▒ | 35 | מצא | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מצא finds | ▒ | 35 | מצא | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
מיהוה from Yahweh | ▒ | 35 | יהוה | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
כל all | ▒ | 36 | כל |
No comments:
Post a Comment