Nativity Tapestries for Solo Oboe

Nativity Tapestries for Solo Oboe

Silas Blake Duncan will perform a single composition: “Nativity Tapestries for Solo Oboe.” He commissioned the work from the Cincinnati based composer Brenda Portman in January of 2024.

Composer Notes:

I. Elizabeth – “This is what the Lord has done for me…” (Luke 1:25a)
–Elizabeth expresses her gratitude for God seeing her and removing the deep disgrace she has endured for many years due to not having a child.
II. Mary – “My soul magnifies the Lord…” (Luke 2:46ff)
–Mary’s trusting acceptance of God’s plan and rejoicing in God’s justice and favor in choosing a lowly young girl to bear the Son of God, yet at the same time there must have been questions nagging at her heart about the implications of her pregnancy as an unmarried woman.
III. Mary, Birth – “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
–Mary, though exhausted and sore, is introspective and relishes the joy of the birth of Christ, the visit from the shepherds, and the story the shepherds bring them about God’s heavenly messengers.
IV. Mary & Anna, Presentation in the Temple – “A sword will pierce your own soul…” (Luke 2:35b)
–Anna and Simeon, faithful prophets of God, rejoice in seeing Jesus at the temple and deliver a blessing, yet also a haunting prophecy foretelling his death and the grief that Mary will endure.
V. The Slaughter of the Innocents – “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation…” (Matthew 2:18ff)
–The mothers of all baby boys under the age of two in Bethlehem are stricken with heart-wrenching grief as their precious children are ripped from their arms and savagely murdered.
VI. Incarnation – “The Word became flesh and lived among us… From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace…” (John 1:14a, 16a)
–the Hope of the world enters into our humanity, coming alongside our suffering and joy, and defeats the powers of darkness, bringing peace, freedom, love, and grace to all

Performers