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Dave Brubeck's The Commandments
"Things were going in a very destructive way," remarked composer Dave Brubeck, reflecting on what compelled him to finally compose his 2005 choral cantata, The Commandments, one of the Milken Archive's world premiere recordings. In an interview with conductor Russell Gloyd, the composer discusses the timelessness and universal import of the Bible's Ten Commandments, as well as humanity's continued responsibility to live by them. Includes video footage from the 2007 Milken Archive recording session with the Singing City choir and Fairmount Brass, conducted by Russell Gloyd at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, PA.
To hear the full recording, visit the Milken Archive.
Singing City had the pleasure of working with Dave Brubeck several times over the years, including performances of The Gates of Justice and La Fiesta de la Posada.
Lyrics
Sung in English
Text adapted from Exodus, Chapter 20,
(King James Version)
And God spoke all these words:
“I am the Lord thy God who brought you out of Egypt,
Out of the land of slavery.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me,
Thou shalt not bow down to worship them.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not lie.
Thou shalt not give false witness.”
And then God spoke all these words to Moses:
“Thou shalt not murder!
Thou shalt not kill!
Keep my commandments.
Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not lie.
Thou shalt not give false witness.”
And then God spoke all these words to Moses:
“Thou shalt not murder.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house,
Nor make for yourself an idol.
For I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”
When the people saw the thunder and lightning,
And heard the long blast of the horn, and heard the trumpet,
And saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled in fear.
And God spoke all these words:
“I am the Lord thy God,
Thou shalt not bow down and worship idols.
”
The Lord said:
“Tell the Israelites this:
You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not bow down and worship them.”
When the people saw the smoke they trembled,
And when they saw the mountain in smoke they trembled in fear.
They stayed at a distance and said unto Moses:
“Speak to us yourself, and we will listen,
But do not let God speak to us or we will die!”
Moses said to the people:
“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you,
So that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
The people remained at a distance
While Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Then the Lord said to Moses:
“Tell the Israelites this:
You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from Heaven.
And God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord thy God who brought you out of Egypt,
Out of the land of slavery.
Keep my commandments.
I am the Lord your God showing love to a thousand generations
Of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Keep my commandments.”