Cantata "Modimo"

Chatter Vox

Cantata “Modimo” - Composed by Franco Prinsloo (Text scored from Biblical texts)

In this cantata for mixed voices, composer Franco Prinsloo created a libretto from sections taken from the bible, addressing the preservation of our natural world through unity and love. This is a directive that humanity often outright rejects.

The cantata starts with the creation of the world, depicted in Genesis 1, the text taken from the seTswana bible. This is accompanied by piano only, in a strictly rhythmical style.

The second movement starts with the creation of humanity, narrated in isiZulu. This is followed by a musical setting of the same text in Latin:

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

A cello solo accompanies the flowing piano patterns, as if propelling life into existence. The audience is confronted with the first task, given by God to humanity. According to Genesis, God places humanity in the garden to safeguard and protect it. Rather than obeying this order, man defied it by the abuse of nature. This section is sung in Afrikaans.

The second movement flows directly into the third movement, “Egypt in desolation”, with a lonely cello solo developing into a pulsating minor ostinato pattern. The choir sings in Latin and underlines the destruction and innocent blood shed on the land of God. The tension of this movement is resolved in the finale as the music calms into a major movement of chords with a hopeful and uplifting plea for union and love. This is sung in both English and seTswana. The work ultimately ends in a triumphant “coming together of musical themes” signifying the plea for unity.

I. Modimo o thlola lobopo le motho | In the beginning God created the heaven and earth (Sung in SeTswana)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
II. Die Tuin | The Garden (Sung in isiZulu, Afrikaans and Latin)

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’

III. Aegiptus in Desolatione | Egypt, in desolation (Sung in Latin and SeTswana)

Egypt will become a waste, And Edom will become a desolate wilderness, Because of the violence done to the sons of Judah, In whose land they have shed innocent blood.

IV. Finale (Sung in English and seTswana)

Now I beseech you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak with one voice,

so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction and love one another, for love is from God. and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Guest: Magdalena de Vries, Marimba specialist and performer
Music composed by Franco Prinsloo
Performed by Vox Chamber Choir