Gian Carlo Menotti
JACOB=S PRAYER
G. Schirmer, Inc. New York, NY
Gian Carlo Menotti
JACOB=S PRAYER This composition was commissioned by the Endowment Fund of The American Choral Directors Association in memory of Raymond W. Brock, who served The American Choral Directors Association as Director of Development and Administrative Assistant.
G. Schirmer, Inc. New York, NY
Jacob=s Prayer Based on the Book of Genesis, Chapter 32:25B32
As sunlight darkened into starless night, swift, elusive and defiant the obscured angel appeared. By his imperious gaze and threatening hand I was compelled to accept the challenge, Not a word was said as our breaths mingled and our limbs entwined. With grunts and tears and bursting heart I wrestled with the intruder. I fought with him, I fought all night. There was no escape, no rest no hope for flight. I fought with the unknown messenger because I had to fight. I knew that at dawn God=s face would be revealed to me and that the light of life like a surging wave would again enfold me. I knew that God's face would not shine on me if I surrendered. I did not lose or win, but I was wounded by the glory of God. And by this wound I=m spurred and guided toward the beckoning light. O God, let me not die in darkness, let me be swept away toward a celestial harbor by life=s bright waves. Amen.
JACOB’S PRAYER Gian Carlo Menotti
Adagio, misterioso 1. 1 2
Fl.
sub. Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2 sub.
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4 sub. 1 2 Tpt. in C 3 1 2 Tbn.
3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
Adagio, misterioso I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
4 Soli, div.
Cb. Copyright © 1997 by G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP), New York, NY International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Warning: Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited by Federal law and subject to criminal prosecution.
2 7
1.
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. a2 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
B.D. Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
I Vn. II
Va.
tutti, unis.
Vc.
(4 soli, div.) tutti, unis.
Cb.
3 13
Pi첫 mosso e agitato
poco rit.
a tempo
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn. 1.
1. 1 2 Hn. in F
3. 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C
dolce 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
espr.
Pi첫 mosso e agitato I espr.
Vn. II
espr. Va. espr.
Vc. espr. Cb.
poco rit.
a tempo
4
poco pi첫 lento
18
rit. molto 1.
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn. (1.) 1 2 Hn. in F
(3.) 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
poco pi첫 lento
rit. molto al sord.
I Vn.
al sord. II
al sord. Va. al sord. Vc.
div. Cb.
5 24
Adagio
poco rall.
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
subito
Adagio
poco rall.
div., con sord.
unis.
div.
div., con sord.
unis.
div.
I Vn. II
con sord. Va. con sord. Vc. unis. Cb.
6
pi첫 mosso
29
poco pi첫 lento
rit.
1 2
Fl.
Ob. espr. a2 Cl. in B
1 2 espr.
Bs. Cl. espr. a2 1 2
Bn.
espr. Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
subito
espr.
pi첫 mosso
poco pi첫 lento
rit.
via sord.
div. I Vn.
via sord.
div. II
via sord.
div. Va.
div. Vc.
Cb.
unis.
via sord.
7 36
Andante a2
1 2
Fl.
cresc. Ob.
cresc. a2 Cl. in B
1 2
cresc. Bs. Cl.
cresc. 1. 1 2
Bn.
Cbn. 1. 1 2 Hn. in F
cresc. 3. 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
cresc. poco a poco
Andante I unis., senza sord.
Vn. II senza sord., div. Va. senza sord.,
pizz. Vc.
Cb.
cresc.
arco
8
Adagio ma non troppo 40 1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. (1.) 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Sus. Cym. Perc. poco cresc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
div. unis., senza sord.
Adagio ma non troppo 8va
unis. loco
I sub.
Vn. div.
unis.
II sub. unis. Va. sub. Vc. sub. Cb.
9 47 1 2
Fl.
Ob. a2 Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. B.D. Perc.
Harp
S.
A. As
sun light
dark
ened
as
sun light dark
ened
T. 8
As
sun light dark
ened
As
sun light dark
ened
B.I as
B.II As
Rehearsal Piano
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
sun light
dark
ened
sun light
dark
ened
10
Allegretto
51
1.
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2 Solo
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. gliss. (B.D.) Perc.
Harp
l.v.
S.
A.
T. 8
B. to
a
star
less
sky
Rehearsal Piano
Allegretto I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
11
Adagio
a2
stringendo poco a poco
55 1 2
Fl.
cresc. poco a poco
Ob. cresc. poco a poco Cl. in B
1 2 cresc. poco a poco
Bs. Cl. cresc. poco a poco 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Glock. Perc. 6
Harp
8va
cresc. poco a poco
8va
Rehearsal Piano 3
6
col pedale
Adagio
stringendo poco a poco
I cresc. poco a poco
Vn.
II 3
cresc. poco a poco
Va. cresc. poco a poco Vc.
Cb.
12
rall. molto
60 (a2) 1 2
Fl.
cresc. Ob.
cresc. Cl. in B
3
1 2
3
cresc. Bs. Cl.
cresc. 1 2
Bn.
3
3
Cbn.
2. 1 2 Hn. in F 4. 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Sus. Cym. (soft stick)
poco
Perc. B.D.
Harp
3
3
Rehearsal Piano
rall. molto 3
I
3
cresc.
Vn. II
cresc. 3
Va.
cresc. Vc.
cresc. Cb.
3
13
Andante moderato, quasi adagio
poco pi첫 mosso
64 a2 1 2
Fl.
legato Ob. legato a2 Cl. in B
1 2 legato
Bs. Cl. legato 1 2
Bn.
legato Cbn.
(2.)
a2
1 2 Hn. in F
(4.)
a2
3 4
espr. 1 2 Tpt. in C
legato 3 legato 1 2
Tbn. legato 3 legato Timp. B.D. Perc.
S. Swift, e
lu
sive
and de
fi
ant
the
ob scured
an
gel
ap
peared
Swift, e
lu
sive
and de
fi
ant
the
ob scured
an
gel
ap
peared
Swift, e
lu
sive
and de
fi
ant
the
ob scured
an
gel
ap
peared
Swift, e
lu
sive
and de
fi
ant
the
ob scured
an
gel
Swift, e
lu
sive
and de
fi
ant
the
ob scured
an
A.
T. 8
B.I the
ob scured
B.II
Rehearsal Piano
gel
ap
peared
legato
Andante moderato, quasi adagio
poco pi첫 mosso unis.
div. I Vn.
legato div.
unis.
II legato
unis.
legato
unis.
div. Va. div. Vc. legato div. Cb.
pizz. legato
14
poco rit.
69
a tempo
a2
1 2
Fl.
Ob. (a2) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1. Solo
(a2) 1 2 Hn. in F
(a2) 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C
3 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp. Perc.
Harp
S. By
his
im
per
By
his
im
per
ious
gaze
and
A. ious
gaze
T. 8
im
B.I an
gel
ap
peared
B.II
Rehearsal Piano
poco rit.
a tempo
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc. unis. (arco) Cb.
pizz.
per
ious
gaze
his
15
poco rit.
(a2)
75
a tempo
1 2
Fl.
Ob. a2 Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. a2 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Sus. Cym. (with brush) Perc.
B.D.
Harp
legato, very intense and expressive S. threat ’ning
hand
I
was com
pelled
to ac
cept
the
chal lenge.
to ac
cept
the
chal lenge.
A. legato, very intense and expressive T. 8
I
unis.
was com
pelled
B. and
his
threat
’ning
hand (Trumpets)
Rehearsal Piano
espr.
poco rit.
a tempo
I espr.
Vn. II
espr.
Va. espr. Vc. espr. Cb.
16 82
a2
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1. 1 2 Hn. in F 3. 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C
lontano (2.)con sord. 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
Rehearsal Piano
lontano
I Vn. sul pont.
naturale
II
sul pont.
naturale
Va.
sul pont.
naturale
Vc.
arco Cb.
17 88
Andante, meno mosso ma molto agitato (in 4) a2
1 2
Fl.
Ob. a2 Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. a2 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1. 1 2 Hn. in F
3. 3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3 1. 1 2 espr.
Tbn. 3
Timp. B.D. Perc.
Harp
S. Not
a
word
was
said
as
our
breaths
min
Not
a
word
was
said
as
our
breaths
min
a
word
A.
T. Not
8
was
said
as
our
as
our
breaths
min
gled
B. Not
a
word
was
said
breaths
min
gled
Rehearsal Piano
Andante, meno mosso ma molto agitato (in 4) 9 9 9
9
9 9
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
9
18 90
(a2)
1 2
Fl.
Ob. (a2) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
(a2) 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
(1.) 1 2 Hn. in F
(3.) 3 4 1. 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. (B.D.) Perc.
Harp
S. gled
and
limbs
en
gled
and
limbs
en
twined,
A. twined,
I
T. 8
and
our
limbs
en
twined,
and
our
limbs
en
twined.
I
fought
all
B.
Rehearsal Piano
9 9
I Vn.
9
II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
9
9
9
19 92 1 2
Fl.
Ob. (a2) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
(a2) 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
(1.) 1 2 Hn. in F
(3.) 3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3 1. 1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
S. With A. fought
all
night
as
our
breaths
min
gled
T. 8
night.
as
our
breaths
min
gled.
B. and
our
limbs
en
twined
Rehearsal Piano
9
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
9
9
9
9
9
20 a2
94 1 2
Fl.
Ob.
(a2) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
a2
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4 1. (Solo) 1 2 dolce e legato
Tpt. in C
3 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp. (B.D.) Perc.
Harp
S. grunts
and
tears
and a burst
ing
heart
and a burst
ing
heart
I wres tled with the in
tru
der.
A. With grunts and
T. 8
With grunts
and
tears
I
wres
tled
with the in
tru
der
B. With grunts and tears and burst ing
Rehearsal Piano
sempre pi첫 forte e intenso
div.
I Vn.
9
II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
9
heart
21
Adagio
rall. molto 98 1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. a2 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4
1 2 2. senza sord.
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
gliss. Timp. Crash Cym.
secco
Perc. cresc.
S.D. (snares off)
Harp
with a forced cry S. With grunts and tears
and
burst ing
heart
Ah with a forced cry
heart
Ah with a forced cry
A. tears
with tears
and burst
ing
T. 8
With grunts and tears
and burst
ing
heart
Ah with a forced cry
B. With grunts and tears
with burst
ing
heart
Rehearsal Piano
rall. molto
Adagio
I div.
Vn. II
div. Va.
Vc.
Cb.
Ah
22
affrettando molto 102
rall. a2 Flute 2 to Piccolo
1 2
Fl.
Ob. a2 Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. a2 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Sus. Cym., soft sticks
B.D.
Perc.
Harp
S. ah
ah
ah
ah
ah
ah
ah
ah
A.
T. 8
B.
sempre
Rehearsal Piano
affrettando molto
rall. unis.
I Vn.
unis. II unis.
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
23 108
Andante
Piccolo
Picc.
Fl. 1
Ob. 1. Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp. (B.D.) Perc.
Harp
S.
A.
T. 8
There was
B. Still
Rehearsal Piano
pesante
Andante I Vn. II
Va.
Vc. div. Cb.
I fought
the un known mes sen ger.
no es cape,
I
24 114 Picc.
Fl. 1
Ob.
1. Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4 1 2 Tpt. in C
3 1. 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp. (B.D.) Perc.
Harp
S.
A. There wasno rest nohope for flight.
There
T. 8
had to fight.
There was no es cape, no hope for
rest.
There was no es cape.
B. There was no rest no hope for flight.
Rehearsal Piano
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
All
night
25 119
Piccolo to Flute 2
Picc.
Fl. 1
Ob. (1.) Cl. in B
solo
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 con sord. 1 2
Tpt. in C
con sord. 3 (1.) 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
S.
A. was no es cape,
nor hope
for flight
T. There was no es cape
8
B. all
night.
Rehearsal Piano
I Vn. II
Va.
Vc. unis. Cb.
nor hope for flight
26 123
1.
Adagio
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn. 1. 1 2 dolce
Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. S.D., snares off Perc.
Harp
dolce S. But
I fought, I fought all night
with the mes sen ger un known,
with
the mes sen ger un
known.
Oh
unis.
how
dolce
A. But
I fought, I fought all night
with the mes sen ger un known,
with
the mes sen ger un
known.
Oh
how
dolce T. 8
But
I fought, I fought all night
with the mes sen ger un known,
with
the mes sen ger un
known.
Oh
how
dolce B. But
I fought, I fought all night
with the mes sen ger un known,
with
the mes sen ger un
known.
Oh
Rehearsal Piano
dolce
Adagio
div.
I dolce
Vn. II
dolce Va. dolce Vc. dolce
pizz. Cb. dolce
how
27
a tempo
rall.
127
1.
1 2
Fl.
Ob. 1. Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1. 1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. (S.D.) Perc.
Harp
unis. S. ea
sy
it would have
been
to lie
van quished un der his beat ing
wings
But
I
ea
sy
it would have
been
to lie
van quished un der his beat ing
wings
But
I
ea
sy
it would have
been
to lie
van quished un der his beat ing
ea
sy
it would have
been
to lie
van
A.
T. 8
wings
B. quished
un der his beat ing wings.
Rehearsal Piano
unis.
rall.
a tempo
I Vn. II
Va.
pizz. Vc. (pizz.) Cb.
28
Poco più mosso
131 1 2
Fl.
Ob. (1.) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn. 1. 1 2 Hn. in F
3. 3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
S. fought,
I foughtall night
with the
mes sen ger un known,
I knew that on
fought,
I foughtall night
with the
mes sen ger un known.
I knew
with the
mes sen ger un known.
I knew that on
ly at dawn
God’s face
would
A. that
on
ly at dawn
God’s face
T. 8
But
I
But
I
fought,
B. fought,
I
fought
all
night.
Rehearsal Piano
Poco più mosso I
cresc.
Vn. II
cresc. Va.
cresc. arco
pizz.
arco
pizz.
arco
Vc.
cresc. arco
pizz.
arco
Cb.
cresc.
ly
at
dawn
God’s
29
poco rall. 135
1.
1 2
Fl.
Ob. 1. Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. (1.) 1 2
Bn.
Cbn. (1.) 1 2 Hn. in F
(3.) 3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C
3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. Sus. Cym., brush Perc.
slo
w
gli
ss.
Harp
S. be re vealed to
me
and
that the light of
life
would a gain en fold
me
like a
sur ging wave
like a
sur ging wave
unis. A. like
a
sur
ging
would
wave
en
fold
me.
T. 8
face
would be
re vealed to
me
would be
re vealed to
me
Oh
like a
sur ging wave
B. Oh
Rehearsal Piano
poco rall. I
cresc.
Vn. II
cresc. div.
unis.
Va.
cresc. Vc.
cresc. Cb.
30 139
a tempo, ma non poco più calmo
Adagio, ma non troppo
rall.
1 2
Fl.
Ob. (1.) Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl. (1.) 1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
S. unis.
I knew
that God’s face
would not shine on me
if
I
sur ren dered.
I knew
that God’s face
would not shine on me
if
I
sur ren dered.
A.
T. would
8
not
shine on me
I
did not
I
did not
B. I knew
that God’s face
if
I
sur ren dered.
Rehearsal Piano
a tempo, ma non poco più calmo
Adagio, ma non troppo
rall.
I Vn. II
Va.
pizz.
arco
pizz.
pizz.
arco
pizz.
espr.
arco
Vc.
Cb.
arco
pizz.
31
Andante
143 1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn. a2
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4 a2, senza sord. 1 2 Tpt. in C
senza sord. 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp. B.D. Perc.
Harp
molto espr. S. but
I
was
woun
ded
by
the
glo
ry
of
God.
but
I
was
woun
ded
by
the
glo
ry
of
God.
And
by
this
by
this
A. molto espr.
T. 8
lose
or
win:
but
I
was
woun
ded
by
the
glo
ry
of
God.
lose
or
win:
but
I
was
woun
ded
by
the
glo
ry
of
God.
And
B.
Rehearsal Piano
molto espr.
Andante div. I molto espress.
Vn. II
molto espress. Va. molto espress.
Vc. molto espress. Cb.
32
rall.
147
Poco meno mosso
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4 1 2
Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
Perc.
Harp
S. wound
I’m
spurred
and
guid
ed
toward
the
be
com ing
light.
toward
the
be
com ing
light.
toward
the
be
com ing
light.
toward
the
be
com ing
light.
A.
T. 8
wound
I’m
spurred
and
guid
ed
B.
Rehearsal Piano
rall. I Vn. II
Va.
Vc.
Cb.
Poco meno mosso
Poco pi첫 lento, with renewed feeling
152
a tempo
rall.
1.
poco ritenuto
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1. 1 2 Tbn. 3
Timp.
S. Oh
my
God
let me not die
in
dark
ness,
let me
be
swept a
way
Oh
my
God
let me not die
in
dark
ness,
let me
be
swept a
way
Oh
my
God
let me not die
in
dark
ness,
let me
be
swept a
way
A.
T. 8
B. Oh
Rehearsal Piano
my
God,
not
die in
dark
ness,
sub.
Poco pi첫 lento, with renewed feeling unis. I Vn. div. II
Va.
Vc.
arco Cb.
let me
rall.
a tempo
poco ritenuto
33
34
a tempo 157 1 2
Fl.
Ob. 1. Cl. in B
a2
1 2
Bs. Cl.
1 2
Bn.
Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F
3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C
3 a2 1 2
Tbn. 3
Timp. Cym., soft stick Perc.
Harp
sub.
div.
S. to
ward
a
ce
les
tial
har
bor
by
life’s
bright
waves. div.
ward
a
ce
les
tial
har
bor
by
life’s div.
bright
waves.
ward
a
ce
les
tial
har
bor
by
life’s
bright
waves.
sub. A. to sub. T. 8
to sub.
div.
B. to
Rehearsal Piano
ward
a
ce
les
tial
har
bor
by
life’s
bright
waves.
dolce
a tempo
div.
I Vn.
div. II
Va.
Vc. div. Cb.
35 162 Flute 2 to Piccolo
a2
1 2
Fl.
Ob.
Cl. in B
1 2
Bs. Cl.
(a2) 1 2
Bn. Cbn.
1 2 Hn. in F 3 4
1 2 Tpt. in C 3
1 2 Tbn.
3
Timp. Glock.
Perc.
Cym. B.D. 6
Harp
S. A
men
A
men
A
men
A
men
A
men
A
men
A
men
A.
T. 8
A
men
A
men
B. A
men
Rehearsal Piano
sempre
I Vn. unis.
div.
II div. Va.
Vc.
Cb. sempre