I Believe The piece opens with an introduction hinting at the thematic material to come. The first section begins with the choir singing the first section of the Creed. What follows is a slow musical build up representing the creation of heaven and earth through a powerful theme for God the Father. At its climax, the choir sings triumphant bursts of "Lux Eterna!" (Eternal Light). The second section begins with the choir singing the first part of the Creed's second section. The band then musically depicts the birth of Christ and is soon joined by the choir, this time representing the heavenly hosts announcing Christ's birth singing "Gloria! In Excelcis!" The piece is then swept away by the woodwinds as the tempo picks up. The brass comes in with a strong statement of Christ's theme symbolizing the power of His ministry and teachings. At the end of the fast section, the mood turns darker as Christ's theme is twisted into a minor mode and the choir enters once again singing of Christ's suffering under Pontious Pilate. Three large percussion crescendos represent the three nails driven into Christ's hands and feet at His crucifixion. The solo violin then plays a sorrowful lament for the crucified Son of God. As the violin's lament comes to a close, the choir sings of Christ's decent into the dead as the band and other choir members begin a dark chaotic crescendo. As Christ's decent into Hell intensifies, the tempo picks up with pounding percussion, tense brass chords, and shouts from the choir of "Crucifixus! and Mortuus!" (crucified and death). There is one final build-up of tension lead by the organ before all becomes quiet except for the choir chanting "Crucifixus, mortuus, peccatum, satanas" (crucified, death, sin, Satan). As the chanting continues, Christ's theme enters once again, first with the violin, in an attempt to conquer this sin and death, but it is defeated by the choir's shout of "Mortuus!" Christ's theme enters again, this time in the flutes, but is again conquered by shouts of "Mortuus!" Christ's theme enters for a third time, this time even stronger in the saxophones and french horns and this third time (symbolizing the third day), Christ conquers the chants of death as the choir sings the resurrection section of the Creed and continues singing praises with "Halleluia!" The woodwinds then begins rushing upwards as the percussion swirls around and the choir sings of Christ's ascent into heaven. God's theme from the creation section of the piece enters once more this time accompanied by Christ's theme for a grand crescendo. After the glorious ascension, the low brass begins outlining chords as the choir fades into the distance singing of Christ's promised return to judge the living and dead. At the beginning of the third section of the piece, all is quiet. The choir enters and begins singing the last section of the Creed. As they sing, the band enters with all the past themes of the piece to symbolize unity between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This section builds until the text of the Creed comes to a close and the choir enters one more time with a triumphant "Amen!" and the introduction is reprised. In the last few measures of the piece, the three themes return one more time: first the theme for God, then Jesus Christ, and finally the Holy Spirit as the piece comes to a powerful conclusion with one final Amen sung by the choir. I Believe! __________________________________________________ |