Jubilate Agno

Instrumentation:  Tenor, Piano

Duration:  ca. 3:15

Program Note:

I was introduced to the fascinating work of Christopher Smart while taking a course on British Literature. The professor who taught the class presented “Jubilate Agno” as a musical work, and at that point I felt the urge to set the text to music. Smart wrote the poem during his confinement in an asylum— a period during which his cat, Jeoffrey, was his main consolation. While elements of the poem are certainly comical, it is written in the style of a prayer and conveys an ardent gratitude for animal companionship. The present setting is only a fragment of Smart’s lengthy poem.

Text:

For I will consider my cat Jeoffrey.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing seven times round with elegant quickness.
For he will not do destruction if he is well-fed.
For he purrs in thankfulness when God tells him he’s a good Cat.
For the English Cats are the best in Europe.
For he is of the Lord’s poor, and so indeed he is called by benevolence perpetually —

Poor Jeoffrey! Poor Jeoffrey! The rat has bit thy throat.

For I bless the name of the Lord that Jeoffrey is better.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.
For he can swim for life. For he can creep.

Premiere: November 13, 2016; Spokane, WA.  Thomas L. Bocchi, tenor; Peter Underhill, piano.