'Now I Am Become' by Brian M Rosen (World Premiere)

Concert of the Choral Chameleon Summer Institute June 29, 2018
St Paul's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY

Conducted by Matthew Oltman

In memory of Marie ''Reason" Siegenthaler (1988-2018)

Text: Interpolated from the Bhagavad Gita by Brian M Rosen

Summary:
Arjuna is traveling to battle, along with his cousin and mentor, Krishna. Krishna has been explaining the
nature of all things to Arjuna, informing him that Krishna is actually the god of all gods. Arjuna asks Krishna to show him his "universal form". Krishna complies, revealing all of existence contained within his body. Arjuna is both awestruck and terrified. Krishna explains to Arjuna that in this form he is time, that which ends all things.

Text:
(Arjuna asks Krishna to show him his "infinite form")
I seek the beginning
I seek the middle
I seek the end
Oh source of all there is to know
Oh you who opened my eyes
Who granted me the power
To comprehend
The beginning and ending
Of all living things
Oh you who binds us to all that exists
Who holds the knowledge of all that will be
If you believe I am able to see
Reveal to me the vision of your infinite self

(Krishna shows his infinite form)
Look now and see eternity
A multitude of shapes and colors different and divine
All that exists moving and still
All you could imagine is manifest in my body

(Arjuna is terrified at the sight)
I see within you everyone
With countless arms and endless eyes
The sun the moon
All space in between
A vision too hard to behold
Your mouth of fire and terrible teeth
Consuming all living things
They tremble in terror
And sing of your greatness
Their heads smashed between your terrible teeth
A river of people
Rushing like moths to their own destruction in your Wide open mouth
Your tongue of fire scorching the universe
Your blazing eyes fill me with fear and dread

I find no beginning
I find no middle
I find no end
Tell me who you are
I want to understand
I cannot comprehend this work

(Krishna comforts Arjuna)
Now I am become time, destroyer of worlds
Engaged in the ending of all that is
Even without you those who remain to struggle will cease to exist
Now they have already died by my hand
Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds
Engaged in the ending of all that is
Be you not afraid yet be not confused
At seeing this terrible awful truth,
As hard as it is to behold,
That only by purest devotion and unswerving love
May it be seen
There is no beginning
There is no middle
There is no end

Singers:

Soprano
Annie Beliveau
Michelle Coladonato
Liz Hanna
Erika Lloyd

Alto
Emily Crowe
Jonathan May
Suzanne Schwing
Brooke Slemmer

Tenor
Alex Canovas
Alex Guerrero
Jacques Joseph
Matt Robbins

Bass
Scott Brown
Nick Canovas
Rod Hines
Vince Peterson (Artistic Director)

Sound Engineer: Craig Slon
Video: VHSUltra.com

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Ensemble I Chorus I Institute