Topic: The Music of Arioso...

[GE-Raven]

So I posted a little something in H&S as I knew Prom would look there first.  But I thought I would continue my posting of my recent work (Singing not composing) here.

This piece is the last one from the concert.  It is entitle Nunc Dimittis by Gustav Holst (Most famous for his work entitled "Planets")  On this particular piece you hear my lovely wife, Jennifer as the Soprano Soloist.

I personally LOVE the ending as one of the great "Grand" moments in choral music.  Keep in mind that this is only 19 people you hear singing.

text:

    Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
    Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
    Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
    Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

    Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto:
    Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sęcula sęculorum. Amen.

English Translation:
    Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace.
    Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation
    Which thou has prepared before the face of all peoples:
    A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

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http://people.dbq.edu/staff/swolfe/audio/Arioso%202006/13-Nunc%20Dimittis.mp3

MP3 is 4MB in size.

Please let me know if any of you find any value in these posts, as it is not my intention to spam crap that no one cares about.

Thanks,

GE-Raven

[GE-Raven]

Well undaunted by the apparent lack of interest.  I will try once more with a totally different type of piece.  This one is entitled "Sleep" Text by Anthony Silvestri, music byEric Whitacre.  This amazingly complex and beautiful piece has a great history.  You see Eric Originally set "Two Paths Diverged Into a Woods" by Robert Frost to this music.  However he inadvertently failed to get permission to set the text from the Frost estate.  So after much wrangling, he contacted his Friend Anthony and offered the task of setting words to already composed music.  Also he wanted it to revolve around the concept of Sleep.  The text that was generated by Anthony was inspired by watching his daughter fall asleep one night.

The evening hangs beneath the moon,
A silver thread on darkened dune.
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon.

Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head,
I cannot sleep, my minds a-flight,
And yet my limbs seem made of lead.

If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light...
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight.

What dreams may come, both dark and deep,
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep,
As I surrender unto sleep.

The effect with the music is nothing short of amazing.  I really can't believe that the music was not composed for these words.  The match is just so perfect.

http://people.dbq.edu/staff/swolfe/audio/Arioso%202006/12-Sleep.mp3

I would like to point out the "What dreams may come, both dark and deep" section of the piece as some of the most amazing (and difficult) vocal gymnastics I have ever had the opportunity to perform.

Enjoy....