Music of Our Time

I am always fascinated at the sounds of music of our own time. Gloriae  Dei Cantores is preparing for the upcoming programs which include works of William Walton, Howard Hanson, and Zoltan Kodaly - all of whom were extremely active as composers, educators, and conductors for a large portion of the 20th century. They have a "voice" unlike each other and  have unmistakable hallmarks to their writing. But, what is so amazing is that all of them managed - to some degree instinctively - to use traditional methods and musical colors in a new way at a time when many other composers were abandoning any sense of traditional composition! They found ways to invite the "common man" into their music,offering  an extraordinary experience with a musical language common to the day while leaping to the future. Hope you can join us to share in that experience!

Pentecost

A festive celebration of creativity and new life, remembering the first indwelling of the Holy Spirit, rushing winds, tongues of fire - what's not to like?  If I am honest with myself the fresh unpredictability that Pentecost unleashed makes me slightly nervous.  Sure,  when I'm calling the shots, or directing the creativity, I'm all for it.  But when the rudder is another pair of hands (which it really should be) - I'm not so sure.  Come Holy Spirit - Come Holy Comforter - give me the grace to let go.

To watch a lovely video called "A Gift and a Prayer for Pentecost" - click on the link below:
http://youtu.be/PcS_bshe7tY

The Little Things

In our concerts April 26 and 27, we sang a set of Four songs by Edvard Grieg.  The music and text, for choir and baritone solo, are a beautiful melding of folk melodies and of religious psalms and poetry.  The setting certainly has it's challenges - the tuning is crucial as Grieg's harmonies melt in and out, not to mention pronouncing the Norwegian correctly.  But the interesting thing is, if the details are in place, the piece sounds amazingly simple.  Because in the truest sense, it is.  As one Grieg scholar said "In each of the four psalms, Grieg allows himself to receive his key inspiration from the texts, letting them guide his forms. As a result, he lends their performance a natural, idiomatic quality..."  I was struck by how many people commented on the Grieg after the concert.  It's the kind of music that, in its simplicity, seeps into your heart almost without you noticing.  The kind of tune you could go away humming.  And it made reminded me, sometimes, it's all about the little things.  In music, in life - it's not always the thing that seems the most impressive that leaves a lasting impression.