Program Notes
Stravinsky: Canticum sacrum
Dedication
To the City of Venice, in praise of its Patron Saint,
the Blessed Mark, Apostle.
I
Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
Mark 16:15
II
Awake, O north wind; and come, south wind; blow
upon my garden, that its spices may flow
out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat
his pleasant fruits.
I have come into my garden, my sister, my spouse;
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have
eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk
my wine with my milk:
Eat, O friends; drink, drink abundantly,
O beloved.
Song of Solomon 4:5; 5:1
III
Charity
You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of
God; and everyone that loves is born of God,
and knows God.
I John 4:7
Hope
They that trust in the Lord, shall be as mount Zion . . .
My soul waits, and in his word do I hope. My
soul waits for the Lord . . .
. . . which cannot be removed . . .
. . . My soul waits for the Lord more than they
that watch for the morning.
. . . but abides for ever.
Psalm 125:1; 130:5–6
Faith
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly
afflicted.
Psalm 116:10
IV
Jesus said unto him, “If you can, believe; all
things are possible to him that believes.” And
straightway the father of the child cried out, and
said with tears, “Lord, I believe: help my
unbelief.”
Mark 9:23–24
V
And they went forth, and preached everywhere,
the Lord working with them, and confirming the
word with signs following. Amen.
Mark 16:20
(September 2019)