This text from the Biblical book of Habakkuk is a prayer in a time of poverty, the writer rejoices despite suffering under the weight of a fallen world. Hong’s setting displays both purity and discord through stark unisons and open sonorities, juxtaposed with thick parallel dissonance.

Composer’s Notes

Sungji Hong’s Ficus enim non florebit sets the final verses of Habakkuk, one of the twelve Minor Prophets. In the opening verses of chapter 1, Habakkuk notably questions the wisdom of God: “Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds” (Habakkuk 1:3a) His doubt is not unfamiliar, burdened with the weight of a fallen world. Hong sets the final verses of the book—a prayer in a time of poverty and conflict (the rise to power of the Babylonians, c.612 BCE). Despite his doubt and the darkness that surrounded his situation, Habakkuk chooses to rejoice.

Hong displays both purity and discord though stark unisons and open sonorities, juxtaposed with thick parallel dissonance. She chooses to set the opening description of poverty and loss with austere and patient homophony. It is not until the speaker rejoices (“Ego autem in Domino…”) that the three-part texture thickens to four unsettled voices, sliding in labored parallel augmented triads, tritones and minor seconds. This ironic setting poignantly wrings the earthly nature out of this text.

-Beth Willer
Founder and Artistic Director, LoreleI Ensemble

Text

Ficus enim non florebit et non erit germen in vineis mentietur opus olivae et arva non adferent cibum abscidetur de ovili pecus et non erit armentum in praesepibus

Ego autem in Domino gaudebo exultabo in Deo Iesu meo

Dominus Deus fortitudo mea et ponet pedes meos quasi cervorum et super excelsa mea deducet me victori in psalmis canentem

– Habacuc 3:17–19, Biblia Sacra Vulgata (Vulgate)

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

– Habakkuk 3:17–19, King James Version (KJV)

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