EPISTLE “Quid Quaeritis Viventum Cum Mortuis?”
For SATB Unaccompanied Chorus, and Soprano, Alto, and Baritone Soloists
Ethan Wickman
Note On Easter Sunday, 1968, 22-year old Army Corporal Timothy G. Robinson wrote the following letter from Vietnam to his family in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota: Dear Mom, Dad, Ruth & Pat, I hope the Easter Bunny doesn't forget me this year because the last 21 years it's been real good to me and will always be so dear to my heart, "right Mom". Remember when we were kids on Easter the girls would be all dressed up in new hats, pretty dresses and new gloves and us boys with new shoes and shirts and off to church we would go and after come home to look for our Easter baskets. What good times. I hope God will bring me back home so that I may marry the girl I love, which will be in March if things go OK. Then I can watch my kids get all dressed up and head for church and live that day over again. Holidays are no different than any other day. Every day is Monday in Vietnam. Must go now, "God Be With You All". Your fighting son & Brother, Tim1
Five days later, on April 19, Cpl. Robinson stepped on a land mine and was instantly killed. There scarcely exists a more poignant demonstration juxtaposing the bonds of human love and the fragility of life. Yet despite life’s frailty, our individual and collective aspirations seem to reach beyond the years that are ours. It is to this nature that Luke seems to address these words depicting the vanished body of Jesus: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” The conflation of these two sources—Cpl. Robinson’s letter, and the account of St. Luke—provides the inspiration and principle material of Epistle: Quid Quaeritis Viventum Cum Mortuis? Against the background of scripture sung in the Vulgate (Latin) translation2, a baritone soloist sings a text derived from the Robinson letter. The Latin was chosen so as to evoke a sense of textual exoticism and distance from the colloquial English of the letter. At times evoking a lush accompaniment to a lyrical melody, and at others a coincidence of two seemingly separate pieces, the work progresses and eventually draws to its conclusion. Epistle: Quid Quaeritis Viventum Cum Mortuis? is commissioned by the Eau Claire Master Singers.
1
Used by permission of Ruth Lukkari, sister of Timothy Robinson. “Quid quaeritis viventum cum mortuis? Non est hic, sed surrexit.” (“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” 2
Performance Notes
Unaccompanied Choir*, with divisi:
Soprano Alto Tenor Bass
Soprano Soloist Alto Soloist Baritone Soloist
*Choir should consistently remain a dynamic level beneath the soloist, so as to allow ample sonic space to hear the soloist’s words (especially the baritone soloist which sings in English)
DURATION: 7:00
Commissioned by the Eau Claire Master Singers
Copyright Š 2010 by Stratified Publications Timothy G. Robinson text used with permission
For Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff and the Master Singers of Eau Claire, WI and to the family of Cpl. Timothy G. Robinson, KIA April 19, 1968, Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam
Epistle "Quid quaeritis viventum cum mortuis?" "Why seek ye the living among the dead"
Text: Cpl. Timothy G. Robinson (1945-1968) St. Luke 24: 5-6
q = 60
Ethan Wickman (2010)
With mystery and reverence
Baritone Solo
p no vibr.
SOPRANO
tis?
Quid quae - ri no vibr. p Quid
TENOR
BASS
Bar. Solo 8
S.
ri
A.
ri
T.
B.
ri
PNO.
p
-
-
-
tis?
-
-
-
Quae -
ri -
tis?
Quid
p
-
mf
quae - ri
quae - ri mf
-
-
-
tis? pp
tis?
Quid quae -
tis?
tis?
In bold reminiscence mp
when
3
we were
hushed
Quae - ri - tis
hushed
pp
Quid quae-
quae -
Quid
tis? pp
Quid quae-
tis?
mf
Re - mem - ber
pp
Quae - ri
pp
mf
tis?
tis? Quid
-
quae - ri
Quid
quae - ri - tis?
Quid
-
tis?
mf
-
quae - ri -
-
quae - ri
Quid quae - ri
p Quid,
Quid
With mystery and reverence
Quid
q = 60
tis?
PIANO (for rehearsal only)
Quid quae - ri p no vibr.
ALTO
Quae - ri - tis
hushed
Quae - ri - tis hushed
Quae - ri - tis
2
Bar. Solo
14
kids,
we
were
vi - ven - tum
A.
B.
PNO.
vi - ven - tum
Bar. Solo 20
A.
ven - tum? mf
ven - tum?
ven - tum? mf
T.
B.
PNO.
mf
ven - tum?
mf
mor - tu
cum
mor - tu
pret - ty dres - ses...
p
Quid
quae
Quid p
quae - ri
Quid p
quae - ri
Quid
quae - ri
p
-
-
-
tis
tis
vi
tis
ri cresc.
vi
is?
is?
-
cresc.
ven
ven cresc.
Quid
quae - ri
vi - ven -
tum
-
-
ven
-
vi -
f
3
and off to
cum
mor
mor
-
cum
cum
church
tum
-
tis
cum
-
tum
tum
-
3
tis
vi
vi
tis vi -
tis
-
-
tis
-
in
-
-
quae - ri
Quid
-
quae - ri
-
quae - ri
all dressed up
with new shoes and shirts
cresc.
Quid
vi
is
-
Quid
-
and us boys cresc.
would be
the girls
più mf
3
is?
-
mf
-
cresc.
p
-
mor - tu
cum
hats,
new mf
S.
cum
vi - ven - tum
mor - tu
on Eas - ter,
cum
vi - ven - tum
T.
we were kids
kids,
S.
-
-
-
mor
-
mor
-
3
25 Bar. Solo
mp 3
we would go p
mf
-
tu
mf
A.
-
mf
T.
B.
S.
mf
-
tu
tu
mf
31
Bar. Solo
-
-
A.
T.
B.
PNO.
Non est
hic,
Non
Non est
hic,
p
f
What good
est hic,
est hic,
Non,
l.h. sfzmf
hic,
est
Non sfzmf
hic,
is? Non
Non
times!
Non
Non
Non
est hic,
Non
Non mp
Non
Non
hic,
est
hic.
hic.
est
est
p
est
mp
hic,
est
What good times! mp
mp
Non
hic,
est
hic,
est
mp
est
est hic,
sfzmf
Non
Non
est hic,
sfzmf
hic,
What good times!
Non,
hic,
Non est
kets.
Non est
hic,
-
hic,
est
sfzmf
is? Non p
est
sfzmf
S.
to look for Eas - ter bas
est
-
home
3
is? Non p
-
and come
3
home,
is? Non p
PNO.
tu
and come
p
p
p
hic.
hic.
p
p
4
p 3
3
3
36
S.
In quiet anticipation
3
Why seek ye the li - ving
p
A.
3
B.
In quiet anticipation 3
PNO.
3
p
S.
A.
T.
He is not
here, for he
here,
is
for He is
ri f
-
ri f
-
sen,
ri
-
mf
3
mf
3
3
-
f
3
3
3
He
is
ri
-
sen,
ri
-
sen,
3
-
ri
-
sen,
-
He
is
ri
is
dead?
mf
3
mf
and as - cen - ded in - to hea - ven, as -
mf
and as - cen
ri
sen,
3
sen,
dead?
3
sen,
ri
a - mong the
dead? He
3
ri f
for He is
Why seek ye the li - ving a - mong the
here,
dead?
mf
li - ving
3
f
for He is
a - mong the
3
3
Why seek ye the li - ving a - mong the
here,
PNO.
not, is not
B.
He is not
40 He is not
3
li - ving
Why seek ye the p
a - mong the dead?
Why seek ye the
3
Why seek ye the li - ving
T.
3
a - mong the dead?
mf
-
ded.
and - as -
mf
sen, and as - cen - ded, and as - cen - ded in - to sen,
sen,
and as - cen
mf
-
ded,
and as -
mf
5
Slightly faster and more intense
45
S. Solo
A. Solo
mp
Sed
sur - rex
Bar. Solo
mp
I
hope
God brings
cen - ded in - to hea - ven, as - cen ded,
A.
and
cen - ded to hea - ven, as - cen ded,
hea
T.
B.
-
cen
-
ven,
as
-
Sed
hope God brings
me
home,
me
Sed - sur - rex - it,
sed
I
hope
sed
p
and
as cen -- ded. -
ded,
and as - cen ded,
as
- cen - ded.
Sed - sur - rex - it,
Sed
sed
sur - rex - it,
sed
I
cresc.
God brings me
cresc.
sur
sed
sur
sed
cresc.
sur - rex - it,
sur - rex - it,
cresc.
sur - rex - it,
cen ded,
cresc.
sur - rex - it,
Sed - sur - rex - it,
sur - rex it,
home,
sed
sur
sed
sur
cresc.
Slightly faster and more intense
PNO.
it,
as cen -- ded. -
and
p
as - cen - ded.
p
-
p
S.
mp
I
cresc.
p
cresc.
6
f
50
S. Solo
Non est hic,
A. Solo
hope
Bar. Solo
mf
rex - it,
A.
mf
rex - it,
mf
T.
rex
rex - it,
sed
sed
sed
PNO.
- it,
mf
B.
sed
Non est hic.
f
God brings me
home,
S.
Non est hic,
f
home,
I
hope
God brings
me
home
sur - rex - it,
sed
sur - rex - it,
sed
sed
sed
sur - rex - it,
sur - rex - it,
I
sed
sed
sed
sur - rex - it,
sed
sur - rex - it,
so
sur - rex - it,
sur - rex - it,
ff mf sub.
3
can mar ry
the girl that I
sur - rex - it, sed
sur - rex - it, sed
sur - rex - it, sed
sur - rex - it, sed
f
sub. mp
sur - rex - it,
f
f
f
sur
sub. mp
sed
sur
sub. mp
sur rex - it,
sed
sur rex - it,
sur
sur rex - it,
sed
sub. mp
sed
sur
sub. mp
f
mf
love,
7
Bar. Solo 55
S.
rex - it,
rex - it,
and
watch my
sed
sur - rex - it,
rex - it, sed sur - rex - it,
T.
PNO.
A.
B.
rex - it,
sed
sur - rex - it,
sed
sed
sed
mf
and
watch my kids
get
kids
get all
dressed up,
sur - rex - it,
sur - rex - it,
sed
sur - rex - it,
sed
sur
and
cresc.
for
church,
sed
sur
cresc.
and
cresc.
it,
rex - it,
up,
sur - rex -
sed
sur - rex - it
accel.
cresc.
and head
all dressed
sed
head
sur - rex - it,
accel.
cresc.
for
sed
sur
8
Bar. Solo
60
live that
-
rex
sed
sur - rex - it,
-
-
B.
it,
sed
-
poco
sur - rex
a
it, sed,
PNO.
day,
sur - rex
sed
poco
rex
poco
sed
sur - rex - it, sed
sur - rex -
poco
a
church,
that
poco
T.
live
gain.
-
a
a
a
poco
3
q = 84
o - ver
and
3
o - ver and
A.
day
poco
S.
f
poco
a
poco
it,
sed
sur - rex - it, sed
sur - rex -
poco
it,
sed
and
live
sur - rex - it, sed
poco
that
day
sur - rex -
o - ver
3
and
it,
sed
it,
it,
sed
sur - rex - it,
o - ver
sur - rex - it,
q = 84
3
a -
3
3
9
64
S.
ff
sed ff
gain.
ff
Bar. Solo 69
in Ga - li - lee?
A.
T.
B.
PNO.
Quid
in Ga-li- lee? Quid
in Ga - li - lee?
you
Re - mem - ber when He spake to
you
Re - mem - ber when He spake to
p
-
-
quae
-
dif -
quae
no
ri
ri
-
ri
-
Quid
quae - ri - tis? Quid
Quid
tis?
Quid
-
ri
-
tis? Quid
tis?
E -
Quid
tis?
quae
you
ferent.
-
quae
when yet in Ga - li - lee,
p
q = 60
when yet in Ga - li - lee?
Tempo 1
Ho - li days are
Re - mem - ber when He spake to p
Quid
when yet in Ga - li - lee,
you
mp
p
S.
PNO.
Re - mem - ber when He spake to
sur - rex - it!
ff
B.
q = 60 p
sed sur - rex - it! sed ff
T.
Tempo 1
sur - rex - it!
A.
quae - ri - tis? Quid
quae - ri - tis?
very
day
is
quae - ri -
quae - ri -
Quid
quae - ri - tis? Quid
quae - ri -
10
76 Bar. Solo
Mon -
S.
day,
quae
- ri
tis?
is
e - very day
Mon - day,
quae - ri
-
mp
-
-
mp
quae - ri
tis?
quae - ri
tis?
quae - ri
mp
Quid
Quid
tis?
PNO.
-
mp
Quid
bring out
B.
Quid
tis?
T.
e - very day
tis?
A.
mf
-
tis?
Quid
quae
-
ri
-
mf
Quid
quae
-
mf
Quid
quae
quae
ri
-
-
ri
-
mf
Quid
Mon - day
mf
tis?
f
is
-
ri
-
in
tis?
tis?
tis?
tis?
Quid quae -
Quid quae -
Quid quae -
Quid quae -
mf
mp
11
82
A. Solo
Bar. Solo
p
Quid
quae
-
ri - tis?
Vi - et nam.
S.
ri
A.
ri
T.
B.
ri
ri
PNO.
-
-
-
tis
vi -
ven - tum cum
tis
tis
vi -
vi -
-
f
tis
vi -
ven - tum cum
mor - tu - is,
f
ven - tum cum
mor - tu - is,
mor - tu - is,
cum
cum
Quid quae - ri - tis?
p
Quid quae - ri - tis?
p
mor - tu - is?
Quid quae - ri - tis?
p
mor - tu - is?
mor - tu - is?
ven - tum cum
p
mor - tu - is?
cum
f
f
cum
f
mor - tu - is,
p
12
88
S. Solo
Quid
A.
T.
B.
PNO.
quae
quae - ri -
G.P.
-
ri
-
G.P.
G.P.
tis?
tis?
quae - ri - tis?
S.
p
Quid
p
Bar. Solo
Quid
A. Solo
p
Quid
quae
Quid
quae
Quid
quae
-
-
ri
ri
-
-
-
ri
-
tis?
tis?
tis?
G.P.
Quid
quae -
ri
-
tis?
quae
-
tis?
G.P.
Quid
G.P.
Quid
G.P.
quae
-
-
ri
ri
-
ri
Quid
quae
-
tis?
-
tis?