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Silver Thread Ensemble
My Compositions
“When David Heard” conveys the raw power of grief, illuminating the devastation of King David upon learning of his son’s death in the Book of Samuel. The piece uses various vocal textures and effects to communicate the various stages and emotions felt while grieving, from unison lines, to canonic imitation, to lush choral harmonies. The final extended phrase is intended to evoke images of David standing alone in his tower, screaming accusingly with a heavy voice upwards towards heaven.
SCORE AVAILABLE : https://www.modernsoundcollective.ca/store/msc0005-when-david-heard/
Song of Barely Standing, Commissioned by the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, with poetry by John Terpstra. This recording was made by Concreamus at their 2024 Spring concert, “Sonoluminescence.” This song, like the poem, is in three parts tied together by a common theme. The poem uses trees as a metaphor for people and their struggles. In the first section, the trees are stripped bare in winter. The choir has stark extended chords against a pounding rhythmic accompaniment. The choral parts slowly develop and twist away from each other like leaves flying off of trees. In the second section, the piano accompaniment fades away and the choral parts return to bare unison lines before blossoming over the course of the section into rich homophonic choral textures. In the final section of the piece, the piano returns, and a recurring descending musical motive brings to mind a gentle rainfall. The choir is often in duets, showing how our roots and branches are all intertwined.