Sequere me - Credo
Oratory for
tenor, baryton, choir, piano and organ
2002
Stefan
Klaverdal
This piece
won first prize in the composition competition announced by the Cathedral in Gothenburg
2002.
About
the piece
This piece is a free
interpretation of the Gospel of John, 21:15-19 (lyrics below). It is not a
strict composition, but has more of a dramatic quality where the dialogue
between Jesus Christ and Simon Peter is commented by the choir.
The choir can be said to
represent the inner life of Simon Peter his reactions, his feelings and
beleifs, more or less the role the choir would play in a greek drama. The
lyrics also contains parts of the latin mass, also referring to Simon Peters
feelings.
First performed in Gothenburg, Sweden 2003 by
the Cathedral Choir of Gothenburg during the 100th anniversary of
the association of church choir
Also performed during the inaguration of the
new bishop of Gothenburg in Uppsala 2003.
Instrumentation
To preferably be placed in the chancel or choir
in the church
Soloist:
Jesus (tenor), Simon Petrus (baryton)
Piano
To be placed up in the gallery (by the great
organ)
Mixed choir
Organ
Lyrics
in Swedish
NŠr
de hade Štit sade Jesus till Simon Petrus: "Simon, Johannes son, Šlskar du
mig mer Šn de andra gšr?" Simon svarade: "Ja, herre, du vet att jag
har dig kŠr." Jesus sade: "Fšr mina lamm pŒ bete."
Och
han frŒgade honom fšr andra gŒngen: "Simon, Johannes son, Šlskar du
mig?" Simon svarade: "Ja, herre, du vet att jag har dig kŠr."
Jesus sade: "Var en herde fšr mina fŒr."
Och
han frŒgade honom fšr tredje gŒngen: "Simon, Johannes son, har du mig
kŠr?" Petrus blev bedršvad nŠr Jesus fšr tredje gŒngen frŒgade: "Har
du mig kŠr?" och han svarade: "Herre. Du vet allt; du vet att jag har
dig kŠr." Jesus sade: "Fšr mina fŒr pŒ bete.
Sannerligen,
jag sŠger dig: nŠr du var ung spŠnde du sjŠlv bŠltet om dig och gick vart du
ville. Men nŠr du blir gammal skall du strŠcka ut dina armar och nŒgon annan
skall spŠnna bŠltet om dig och fšra dig dit du inte vill."
(SŒ
angav han med vad fšr slags dšd Petrus skulle fšrhŠrliga Gud.) Sedan sade han
till honom: "Fšlj mig!"
Lyrics
in English (New International Version
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"