Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Winter 2026 15 ISAAC I go to study great teaching today. 'Tis sweeter than honey, more precious than gold! SATAN It is lovely to learn, but I have been told that death ends a lesson. Will you learn when you're dead? ISAAC Can one learn when you're dead? I don't understand. SATAN Listen my boy! You are holding the hand of that old man there. He would lead you astray! A fantastic dream has become his way. An imagined God's word has designed you his prey, And you are doomed to be slaughtered in the course of this day! Conclusion My Isaac cantata and Adler's The Binding oratorio both provide points of discussion on how to interpret this great biblical story. I have gained much by my composer discovery of this wonderful work written many years ago by my Eastman teacher, after I had wrestled with the biblical text myself. I came to a musical conclusion about what I wanted to say before seeing what musical interpretation he expressed in his work. The counterpoint of these interpretations enriches the significance and meaning of this great biblical story. Vignette Reprise As I thought about Adler's The Binding and the Abraham and Isaac story, it occurred to me that the opening vignette told by Adler is a similar story of sorts. Adler's father, a well-known cantor and liturgical composer, valued the liturgical musical scores enough to set out on a journey to save them from oblivion. Hugo took his son with him because he needed help carrying the scores, but he also wanted to show his son how much he valued the liturgical music scores he wished to save. He would face any danger, and even death, to save them. Like Abraham and Isaac, they climbed to the balcony (their mountain) to gather the scores. I would suspect that Hugo had his doubts, like Abraham, and that young Samuel had questions, like Isaac. Yet, Adler saw his father's determination and faith. When the Nazis threatened to come up and shoot them, God intervened and sent the organ crashing to the floor below, saving father and son. Like Abraham and Isaac, they walked off together. The Binding is the result of a father and son's faith in the promises of God. Composer and researcher Hollis Thoms has had a number of articles published in PAN PIPES over the years. He holds a Masters in Composition from Northwestern University, a Masters in Liberal Studies from St. Johns College, an EdS in Educational Administration from the University of Toledo, and finished the course work for a PhD in Composition from the Eastman School of Music. He was a teacher of English and Music and a school administrator for over thirty years. His musical compositions and research projects are in special collections at the Maryland State Archives, Folger Shakespeare Library, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and Church Music Center at Concordia University-Chicago. View his website at www. hollisthoms.com Visit Samuel Adler's website for a complete biography, photos, compositions, and publications at www.samuelhadler.com. Alder's Alder's The Binding The Binding showing the use of a showing the use of a twelve-tone row, twelve-tone row, depicting the devil. depicting the devil. Used by permission of the Used by permission of the composer; reproduction composer; reproduction courtesy of the Sibley courtesy of the Sibley Music Library, Eastman Music Library, Eastman School of Music, School of Music, University of Rochester; University of Rochester; Samuel Adler's Samuel Adler's The Binding The Binding, 1967 , 1967 Cposers

• Cover