Thou Holiest of Rivers for horn and piano by David Uber was written in 2004 for Jeffrey Powers, Associate Professor of Horn, at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Dr. Uber wrote in a letter to Mr. Powers dated June 10, 2004 that one should hear the solo ¿in the context of a river metaphor. In its broadest sense it encompasses all of the holy rivers of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. The Revelation 22, verses 1 and 2: 'a pure river of water and life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb' seems to best fit my inspiration. In the Old Testament, Genesis 2, verse 10, there is a wonderful description 'And a river went out of Eden to water the garden'. This became four separate rivers! Dr. Uber used a wonderful blend of elements from gospel, blues and hymn-like traditional harmonies in this unique work setting various motives inspired by flowing water and rivers. |
