from Del Tredici's program notes: “The sense of moment is emphasized by augmenting the choral forces with a soprano soloist and pianist, who open the work with an extended aria. The ensuing choral commentary and soprano cadenza lead to a repetition and climactic development of the aria theme, now shared by chorus, soloist and piano equally. ... Here, the enging is a triumphant C-major chord, capped by a high C for all the sopranos.”