Branches of One Great Tree

Branches of One Great Tree

$2.00

A joyous festival anthem of unity and healing, in two versions. The Hebrew folksong “Vine and Fig Tree” serves as a prelude and plaintive plea for peace.  Voice parts enter one by one until the texture is a simple but satisfying a cappella double canon.  Then the folk melody is “reborn” in a major mode played by the solo cello.  Thereafter a glorious vision of unity unfolds in several verses that culminate in a refrain of great joy: “Only one, only one, there is only one Great Glory…and only one Great Tree of Life.”
  • Version 1 (Sacred unity): The verse texts contain a few general sacred references with focus on international unity, and the piece ends thoughtfully after a grand climax.  For SATB chorus, piano, and string quartet.
  • Version 2 (American unity): The verse texts contain quotes from the writings of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln about unity amidst American diversity. The piece ends triumphantly.  For SATB chorus, piano, and string quartet, or SATB chorus and full orchestra.

Available Voicings: SATB Full Score string quartet (sacred unity) | SATB piano, string quartet (sacred unity) | SATB Full Orchestra (American unity) | SATB piano vocal (American unity) | Children’s choir piano vocal (American unity) | Children’s choir one-sheet score (American unity)

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Works released by SK Publishing are delivered as one-time downloadable source PDF(s) via email.

  • A licensed copy is required for each member performing in your choir / ensemble.

Description

Sacred Unity Version (SATB piano, string quartet)
American Unity Version (SATB PV)
Background
The “sacred unity” version of this piece was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale.  The timing of the premiere (November 2023) with the fifth anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting and the presence in Pittsburgh of the Violins of Hope the same weekend brought a serendipitous stroke to the creative process: it seemed “meant to be” that the Hebrew folksong “Vine and Fig Tree” with its vision of peace and respect could open the piece. (And to add string quartet to the piece so that the Violins of Hope — recovered Holocaust instruments — could be played in the premiere.)
I then transformed that folk melody into a new theme with faint “echoes” of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and fashioned verses that culminated with the prophetic vision: “…for all the nations shall know themselves to be the branches of one Great Tree…”  But knowing the suffering of the Tree of Life congregation, it was only fitting to end the piece on a quieter and thoughtful note, for there is still so far to go to bring true peace and ease the pain of those who have experienced tragic, hateful violence.
  • Verse text:
And everyone ‘neath their vine and fig tree,
Shall live in peace and unafraid
For everyone shall know their Maker is the same,
Who heaven and earth has made.
And they will turn their swords to plowshares
And they will study war no more,
For all the nations shall know themselves to be
The branches of One Great Tree
Only one, only one — there is only one Great Glory
Only one, only one — and only one Great Tree of Life
Bright birds among the branches, ripe fruit on every bough
Light streaming through each leaf of green, and turning all to gold
The “American unity” version of the piece was commissioned by the Irvine Unified School District (California) as a new “closer” for their 2024 annual honor festival featuring choirs, band, and orchestra — hence the full orchestra version of the piece.  The academic setting afforded the chance to adapt the words for a secular situation.  I knew George Washington had often referenced the “vine and fig tree” Old Testament reference in his speeches and writings, so it seemed a fitting bridge for the new version of the piece.  I searched the writings of Abraham Lincoln for other uplifting text that envisioned American unity.  The ending was also reworked to end triumphantly, with full brass leading the orchestra’s echo of the choir’s last phrase.
  • Alternate verse text (American unity):
And every one ‘neath their vine and fig tree
Shall live in peace and fear no more
For in the land shall shine the light of liberty,
And brightly, from shore to shore
So let us form a more perfect union,
Our better angels soaring free
Until at last we all shall know ourselves to be
The branches of one Great Tree

Additional information

Voicing

SATB Full Score (Sacred Unity Version), SATB piano (Sacred Unity Version), Full Orchestra Score (American Unity Version), SATB PV (American Unity Version), Children's choir PV (American Unity Version), Children's choir one-sheet score (American Unity Version)

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