Gareth Treseder

And I Saw A New Heaven

Composer's note
The initial soprano/alto unison D blossoms into richer harmonies, conveying John's awe at witnessing 'a new heaven and a new earth'. The tenors and basses then lead the whole choir in mourning the passing of the first heaven, earth and sea. This gives way to John's proclamation and a choral exultation that a New Jerusalem came down from heaven, which is followed by quiet astonishment that God has prepared it for us, 'as a bride adorned for her husband'. Upon the revelation that 'the tabernacle of God is with men', choral bells ring out the good news that 'He shall be with them'.

Until this point, there have been several key changes and dynamic shifts to convey the vibrancy and newness of God's Kingdom. What follows is a D major chorale which firmly establishes our new-found joy as there shall be 'no more death, neither sorrow nor crying'. The work concludes with a reference to the opening musical material, but now the whole choir comes together as one to celebrate God's majestic proclamation that He 'make(s) all things new'.