The Valley of Vision

In setting this prayer, I endeavored to express musically the theme of paradox described in the text: That our most profound insights emerge from our difficulties and trials (our "valleys"), and that, it is in our valleys that we can find and reach our greatest heights. Here are just a few examples of how the music expresses this theme of paradox:

• Lines do the opposite musically of what the text is expressing (e.g., Sop on an ascending line singing "the way down" followed by the Bass on a descending line singing "is the way up." (e.g., mm. 62-66)
• A number of contrary and mirrored figures in the voices and accompaniment, including where the alto and tenor voices continue in contrary motion until they cross each other. (e.g., mm. 70-73; mm. 86-92)
• The high point or peak of the piece falls on the word "valley" (e.g., m. 108)
• The lyric, more consonant music material, first heard in the "Thou has brought me to the valley" section, is contrasted by the more contrapuntal and somewhat dissonant "Let me learn by paradox" section.
• The contrast of sections mentioned, along with growing into and reaching ever higher climaxes is an attempt to echo the prayer's implied invitation for us to learn and grow from our valleys and peaks. To view our trials as sacred spaces, where we may cultivate a deeper vision of life's purpose. Surely, the Lord's glory is to be found in our valleys and in the sublime joy that comes as we continue to seek and find ever more of the Lord's light.