a cantata for soloists, multiple choirs, keyboard and percussion
commissioned to launch Festival of the Voice 2006 in Kingston Parish Church; duration: c.10-11'

Commissioned to open the 2006 Festival of the Voice in Kingston-upon-Thames, A Still Small Voice is a modern-day cantata for treble and baritone soloists, multiple choirs, organ and piano - designed specially for performance and participation by children and young people of all ages (with the spaces of Kingston Parish Church particularly in mind). The cantata tells a gripping story from the Old Testament book of 1 Kings (chapter 19 verses 1-19): the account of the prophet Elijah running away from wicked Queen Jezebel and ending up in a cave on a mountainside where he experiences first the terrible natural forces of wind, earthquake, and fire; and then hears the "still small voice" of God telling him that he is not alone, and that there is a younger generation ready to carry his message to the people of Israel.

"This was an unusual commission for unusual forces: multiple choirs, soloists and keyboards, and performers from very different age groups. When Simon Toyne first got in touch last summer we batted a few ideas about, but soon realized that it needed a story that dealt with big and mysterious events but yet had a very human side which could be universally understood. The story of Old Testament prophet Elijah's wilderness experiences seemed particularly resonant with the tragic events of last year, as we struggle to search for some meaning in the aftermath of natural catastrophes of earthquake, tsunami, forest and industrial fires, and devastating hurricanes. Likewise, Elijah's own struggle with depression and with political oppression seemed ruefully relevant.

"The music is drawn from both classical and popular roots and is intended to be accessible and individual: it reflects both the awesomeness of natural phenomena, and the equal importance of stillness and silence. Elijah, sung by a baritone, is mostly accompanied by the earth-bound sounds of the piano, while the Children's Chorus take on the role of narrator. The words of the angel, and then the voice of the LORD are sung by the Choir, usually linked to heavenly timbres from the organ - but when just a 'still, small voice', we hear only a single treble. For the elemental sections the Primary School performers come into their own, adding voices, recorders and percussion to the roar of full organ and battered piano. Finally, all forces join in a timeless Alleluia, while hints of Elijah's journey-to-come in a 'chariot of fire' are left ringing in the air at the end."

(A) Elijah loses the will to live - he's extremely very depressed because Queen Jezebel has threatened to kill him within the next 24 hours...
Eliyahu!
Elijah ran for his life!
"It is enough!"
Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness.
"It is enough, Lord, now take away my life! For I am no better than my fathers."

(B) Elijah is miraculously fed - and finds the strength to carry on...
"Arise and eat! Arise and eat! for the journey is too much for you."
Elijah arose and ate and drank, and strengthened by the angel's food he journeyed forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, to a cave.

(C) Elijah on the mountainside - God, however, won't leave him alone and tells Elijah to watch, because He is about to pass by...
"What are you doing here, Elijah?"
"I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts, for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, broken down Your altars, killed Your prophets with the sword; and I, even I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away."
"Go, stand on the mountain before the Presence of the LORD!"

(D) a great Wind - which tears the rocks apart...
Then the wind blows...
But the Lord was not to be found.

(E) an Earthquake
Earth shakes and hums...
But the Lord was not in it.

(F) a Fire
Then a fire...
But the Lord was not there.

(G) a still small voice - finally there is a gentle whisper from God; Elijah complains once more that he has done his best but is now at the end of his tether...
Then a still small voice.
Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle, and stood at the entrance of the cave.
"What are you doing here, Elijah?"
"I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts, for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, broken down Your altars, killed Your prophets with the sword; and I, even I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away."

(H) God speaks to Elijah at the entrance to the cave - and tells him that he is not alone: there are seven thousand others like him who have not given in to the wickedness of Queen Jezebel; God tells Elijah to go and find Elisha, who will be his successor as prophet to the nation of Israel, and those who are destroying the people will be severely punished...
Eliyahu!
"Elijah, go back the way you came - into the wilderness; anoint Hazael king over Syria, and over Israel king Jehu son of Nimshi, and as your successor the prophet Elisha! Still I have seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal, every mouth that has not kissed him."
Eliyahu ha-Navi Elisha

(I) Elijah hands his mantle on to Elisha - literally and figuratively...
So Elijah left, and found Elisha ploughing with the 12th of 12 pairs of oxen; Elijah cast his mantle on Elisha!

(J) Elijah is taken up to heaven - in a "chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2)
Hallelujah! Alleluia

(1 Kings 19:1-19)