Seven Circles of Life by Lucas Richman

Seven Circles of Life
Music by Lucas Richman
Words by Muhammad-Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo
Performance August, 2005
Tiroler Kammerorchester InnStrumenti
Lucas Richman, Conductor
Shira Adler, Soprano
Reynard Rott, Cello
Peter Mark Richman, Narrator

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Program notes by the composer:
“Strengthen the bond between your inner feeling and the one who watches over you.” This statement is excerpted from the receivings of the Indonesian spiritual guide and founder of Subud, Muhammad-Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (known affectionately as Bapak), which were written down in the form of a poem entitled Susila Budhi Dharma. A simple statement informed with great profundity, it serves as the cornerstone of The Seven Circles of Life: A Subud Cantata. The piece is written in ten movements, with the first three serving as an introduction to the last seven, which proceed to describe various levels (or circles) upon which mankind dwells during the daily routine and across the ages. Each circle is represented by a force, ranging from the material to the high spiritual, which either distract from or enhance one’s worship of God. During the course of the piece the listener encounters the lowest and darkest of forces but is guided by the end of the cantata to the highest of possible forces.

There are three main musical elements to this work, the first of which is introduced in the first two measures. A five-note motive, representing Subud is trumpeted first only to be counterd by another five-note motive representing the nafsu (lower forces). This conflict between the two motives is demonstrated throughout the cantata, with the nafsu softening their figurative grip by the end of the work. Secondly, the solo cello is heard as the musical presence of Bapak, accompanying the words spoken by the narrator. The last musical element comes in the form of Indonesian chants which were used to sing the entire poem, Susila Budhi Dharma. This chanting was recorded on tape for the Subud archives and made available to Richman by Lorenzo Music. The composer transcribed the chants and then incorporated them into the fabric of the cantata, sometimes in their full form, and sometimes in a truncated, simplified form.

The Seven Circles of Life: A Subud Cantata is dedicated, with much appreciation, to Marston Gregory and Rifka Bullen, as the inception and subsequent premiere of this work would not have been possible without the support of these two unique and dedicated individuals. The Seven Circles of Life: A Subud Cantata was premiered in August, 1997, with narrator Peter Mark Richman, soprano Sylvia McClain, cellist Reynard Rott, and the composer conducting the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. It was subsequently performed in August, 2005, with the Tiroler Kammerorchester InnStrumenti led by the composer, featuring soprano Shira Adler, cellist Reynard Rott and narrator Peter Mark Richman.