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- "Hymn for Reconciliation" for oboe quartet
"Hymn for Reconciliation" for oboe quartet
a score and parts digital download
WINNER of Nezhdanova-Placzek Duo's "Call for Chamber Music Compositions Submissions 2024." Cayden Chaffin - sole laureate
Hymn for Reconciliation for oboe quartet
This piece reflects the LGBTQ+ struggle with Christian churches, emphasizing that hate has no place in God's houses. The title emerges from the composer's reconciliation journey between faith and sexuality, retold throughout this work. Using Christian imagery and musical idioms, it is divided into three parts: Confession, Flood, and Rainbow. The first section, Confession, captures the realization of the young composer's sexuality and his admission to his mother, mirrored by an oboe's hymn-like tune that underpins the thematic material. The second section, Flood, alludes to the Biblical Flood, representing the waves of hate faced by vulnerable queer youth who struggle with self-hatred and loneliness. The third section, Rainbow, refers to God's covenant with Noah and symbolizes the love that affirming clergy and family can provide, helping queer individuals rediscover their faith. Everyone deserves to worship freely without hatred of their identities or beliefs—this is a God-given right and a true Fruit of the Spirit, Love. This work affirms this musically, using a chamber setting to symbolize diverse individuals creating art for everyone, regardless of orientation or background, echoing God's Word: "[speak] to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart..." (Ephesians 5:19 NASB)
