Short description
The Penitent Thief was composed for the 2023 call for scores by Voces8. Its premiere recording was made by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir, and its premiere performance given at the University of Oregon by Novaire, directed by William Dickens.
The prose text from Luke's account of the crucifixion is shaped into music, expressing the biblical scene. The musical lines and harmonies are crafted to match the characters of the text: the Evangelist is static, the accusing thief features dissonant aumnented second melodic leaps, the penitet thief growing in intensity while rebuking the other man, and begging to be remembered by Jesus. The words of Christ Himself close the work: a painful but comforting response to the penitent thief.
Completion Year
2023
Scored for
mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Duration
ca. 4'
Language
English
Vocal Text
Luke 23, 39-43
And one of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”