Mr. Argento purposely wrote this work with the MSO's upcoming European tour in mind. He wanted to write something based on a pre-existent tune that might be familiar to both Europeans and Americans. It was composed in Germany in 1784 for use in the Duke of Wirtemburg's catholic chapel.
Earth tell it out abroad.
Only towards the end of the work is the actual tune given away. In the composer's words, this gives way to a spiritual sort of progression, from doubt thru indecision to acceptance from dimness to brightness. A point underscored by the added construction of the work being one continuous crescendo. Earth tell it out abroad. One continuous crescendo leading us forward from darkness into light or from doubt into faith, as the composer suggests.