Loading Video . . .

Composer Jonathon Roberts weaves together some of Apostle Paul's famous verses on love as part of a theatrical response to the life of Apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7

Ephesians 4:16

Romans 10:15

Isaiah 52:7

Romans 8:22

Philippians 2:15

How Beautiful

Jonathon Roberts

Credits:

Vocals by Jonathon Roberts
Saxophone Quartet: Chris Clouthier, Allison Davis, Mark Determan, Kim Reece
Artist Location: Wisconsin

Curated by:

Spark+Echo Arts

2005

Primary Scripture

But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.
If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7

Share This Art:

This work for voice and saxophone quartet is a key moment in the theatrical production of Project Paul, a response to the life and writings of the Apostle Paul. It weaves together several of Paul's fascinating concepts, "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news" (from Isaiah, but quoted by Paul in Romans), "every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love" from Ephesians, Paul's most famous expression of love from 1 Corinthians 13, and several more.

Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

Jonathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible, in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com