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"Response", a composition by Jonathon Roberts for saxophone quartet and baritone, directly sets the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 2:1-4.

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Response

Jonathon Roberts

Credits:

Music by Jonathon Roberts
Text by Apostle Paul
Musicians: Chris Clouthier, Allison Davis, Mark Determan, Kim Reece, saxophone quartet; Jonathon Roberts, voice
Artist Location: Wisconsin

Curated by:

Jonathon + Emily

2005

Primary Scripture

But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.
For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?
And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Share This Art:

Depending on what he thought people needed to hear, Paul used different ways to speak to the people he served: love, discipline, humor, anger. We see in this passage a tender, regretful, sad side of Paul as he alerts the Corinthians of his change of plans.

This piece was original composed for vocalist Charlie Christensen and then expanded as part of Project Paul, a theatre piece on the life of Apostle Paul.

Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

Jonathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible, in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com