In The Land Of Uz

Judith Weir's In The Land Of Uz for SATB chorus, solo tenor and instrumental ensemble.

This work was commissioned by BBC Radio 3. It was first performed on 12th August 2017 at the BBC Promsin Southwark Cathederal, London, by the BBC Singers, Adrian Thompson (tenor) and the Nash Ensemble, conducted by David Hill.

In the Land of Uz is a dramatised reading of the biblical Book of Job, from which all the text istaken, in the musical form of a cantata, or short oratorio. The majority of the music is sung by the chorus, but there are also ‘obbligato’ roles for a small group of instruments which appear singly or in pairs; viola,double bass, soprano saxophone, trumpet, tuba and organ. Job appears from time to time as a solo tenor; his thoughts are also represented by the viola. Although the bulk of the storytelling is undertaken by the chorus, a speakingnarrator also makes occasional appearances.