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Nineteen Images of the Divine is an extended suite for piano solo in 19 movements, lasting just under one hour.
The movements are titled after the names of each month of the Badì’ Calendar, as used by Bahá’ís around the world. There are 19 months containing 19 days and the month Names are considered to be attributes of the Creator God. Each movement meditates on their possible meaning, insofar as humans can appreciate such meanings.
The 19 months have been further subdivided into four groups, which are three, four, six and six months long respectively. The music is therefore divided into four books, as described below. The ultimate link between the Names and the music can only be made by the listener.
Book 2: Creation of the Conscious Mind during which the Food of the Knowledge of God is bestowed upon Humankind.
Grandeur: This certainly describes the greatness of the Creator God. The music opening this book, marked ‘majestic’, is indeed grand, opening with strong chords and rapid rising arpeggios. A quieter theme emerges, getting louder and stronger. This theme is developed in future movements.
Light: Divine Light can give sight to the Invisible. Marked Allegro Con Brio, this movement is based on irregular rhythms similar to those used in the first movement, Splendour. A contrasting theme in 7/8 time twice interrupts the rhythmic flow and reflects on our need to seek this ‘light’. The music ends with the irregular rhythms once more, rising to a higher realm.
Mercy: This movement reflects on God’s Mercy flowing through us, so that we may become worthy of God’s infinite bestowals. The music is marked Grazioso meaning to be played gracefully. The whole movement is based on rising and falling arpeggios.
Words: Bahá’u’lláh writes ‘The Word of God hath set the heart of the world afire; how regrettable if ye fail to be enkindled with its flame!’ This movement, marked Grandioso (grandly), reflects how God’s Word is the symbol of Creation. The theme is a choral, also used in later movements, starting quietly, followed by three variations, each getting more and more grand. The last variation represents the entire Creation, engulfing all things both visible and invisible.
