 The first section speaks of “God the Unchangeable” and begins in an unaccompanied chant performed by unaccompanied male voices in a Gregorian chant style.It then continues with the orchestra responding to the chant in imitative counterpoint until the chorus and orchestra join in climax on the words "Thou Art Unchanging", repeating the theme of the text.In the second section, which is recited in the first person, the soprano solo receives the melody from an oboe solo.