Premiered on March 2, 2025 by the University of Louisville Collegiate Chorale under the direction of Benjamin Carter in partial fulfillment of his M.M. in Choral Conducting. Molly Melahn, soprano soloist.
The Canticle of Simeon is one of my favorite biblical passages. Taken from the Gospel of Luke, Simeon was a devout Jew who was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would behold the Messiah before he left the earth. Not much more is known about Simeon’s life, but his words upon holding the Christ child have echoed through millennia, becoming commonly used in Christian services across multiple denominations. As the Holy Spirit nudged him to the temple that day and he held Jesus in his arms, Simeon realized that the Messiah had not come as a conquering warrior, but as a swaddled infant. In that moment, Simeon saw and understood the vulnerability and solidarity of his Creator with him, and his outpouring reflects his prayers, hopes, and dreams for the salvation of his soul being realized in an instant. In this setting, I strove to portray the awe, wonder, and divinely inspired joy of Simeon’s encounter with Christ, and I’m grateful to add my setting of Simeon’s words to the rich choral canon of this scripture. -Benjamin Carter
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.