| Ever Present and in Motion is a composition for chamber orchestra and chorus (with soloists) in four movements. The text for the composition was excerpted from the Feng and English translation of the Tao Te Ching, and comprises four of the major concepts of Taoism: Tao (being and non-being), wu-wei (non-action, weakness, water), te (virtue, goodness), and p'u (simplicity, knowledge, constancy). Soloists are called upon to speak portions of the text.; Each of the first three movements is of approximately equal duration with the shorter last movement acting as a finale. The larger structures consist of smaller units which are either text settings or brief instrumental interludes. Generally, the composition, though neither a narrative work nor a strictly choral piece accompanied by orchestra, evolves through narration, recitative, passages for solo voice and varied combinations of voices, small ensembles, and the full ensemble.; The accompanying paper summarizes significant aspects of Taoism in general and of the Tao Te Ching in particular. By means of this information the reader may gain a functional understanding of the text as a classic work of ancient Chinese philosophy and literature. There is also a discussion of the Tao in relation to contemporary trends in the arts, the sciences, and psychology. Finally, the composition is viewed from its various structural aspects including form, technique, and style. |
