 
| Each of the five sealed wax urns inside
Seed Requiem holds a different
type of edible seed. On each seed is written a letter. Letter
by letter is the English translation of the vocal parts of the
first five movements of Brahms' Requiem. All the text is biblical
but free of specific denominational references. The first movement
is written on corn. The second movement is written on barley.
The third is sunflowers seeds. The fourth is lentils and the
fifth is pumpkins seeds. The five urns correspond to the five
movements played at the Vienna premier. |
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Movement 1 -
Corn
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
They sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Mathew 5:4
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again with rejoicing bring his sheaves with him.
Psalms 126:5,6
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Movement 2 -
Barley
For all flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower
of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth
away.
1 Peter 1:24
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the
earth, and hath long patience for it , until he receive the early
and latter rain.
James 5:7
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
1 Peter 1:25
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion
with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain
joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
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Movement 3 -
Sunflower Seeds
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days,
what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast
made my days a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before
thee... Surely every man walketh in a vain shrew: surely they
are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not
who shall gather them. And now Lord, what wait I for? my hope
is in thee.
Psalms 39: 4-7
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and
there shall be no torment touch them.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1
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Movement 4 -
Lentils
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul
longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart
and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Blessed are they
that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.
Psalms 84:1, 2,4
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Movement 5 -
Pumpkin Seeds
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from
you
John 16:22
Ye see how for a little while I labor and toil, yet have I
found much rest.
Ecclesiasticus 51:27
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you...
Isaiah 66:13
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