Written in the Dust

Written in the Dust was inspired by an address given at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis in November, 1998, by the Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, Minister of the Society. Gibbons address focused on the biblical story from John about the woman, caught in adultery, whose punishment was to be stoned for her sin (John 8: 3-11). Jesus said to the crowd Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her, and then he dismissed her, saying, Go and sin no more. The semi-programmatic movements of Written in the Dust are entitled Jesus, the Woman and the Pharisees, (verses 3-6) The Writing in the Dust (6-8) and Go, and sin no more (9-11). Written in the Dust contains all the ingredients which make this a masterful, virtuosic work for duet: a brilliant pedal cadenza, pedal fans in the outer movements, motives which are started by one player and finished by the other, ranges of motion for each player that cover the keyboards, fast figuration, conversational passing back-and-forth of musical ideas, and elegant, lyrical writing. All combined, they enable Written in the Dust to tell a compelling musical story. It was premiered in October, 1999 by Marilyn and James Biery at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN. Organ duet -- 2 players, 1 console. Part of the Concert Organ Series.