Notations I-IV (1978) Sco

SKU: CF.CM9570

ISBN 9781491153581. UPC: 680160911080. 6.75 x 10.5 inches. Key: Bb major. Latin. Psalms 47 from the Bible.

Psalm 47 was commissioned by the Sigma Alpha Iota Chapter of Hardin Simmons University (Abilene, Texas), Suzanne Watts, conductor, back in 1978. I was a graduate student at the time, and the premiere was a great success. Consequently, the work has received many performances since that time; however, it remained unpublished until now. In a modified tripartite structure, the psalmist uses the imperative verb tense as a command to the people: (you clap), (you shout), (you sing) to exemplify that praise and joy should be public, intelligent, cheerful, and constant. The psalmist admonishes that praise and joy are visual, aural, palpable, and most definitely contagious. The contrasting slow section with a soprano solo should be like an accompanied arioso, where the soloist is supported by lush, major/minor seventh chords in inversion (accompanied recitative). The soloist actually becomes the narrator in this section, the preacher or deliverer of the news that the people will be protected, sustained and blessed. The rapid tempo of the A-section returns and the staggered entrances in the last section/coda indicate the ecstasy knowing that belief can manifest itself in individualized, energized, emotional responses that can change the world. Rise up and claim the power of JOY!.
Psalm 47A was commissioned by the Sigma Alpha Iota Chapter of Hardin Simmons University (Abilene, Texas), Suzanne Watts, conductor, back in 1978. I was a graduate student at the time, and the premiere was a great success. Consequently, the work has received many performances since that time; however, it remained unpublished until now. In a modified tripartite structure, the psalmist uses the imperative verb tense as a command to the people:A (you clap), (you shout), (you sing) to exemplify that praise and joy should be public, intelligent, cheerful, and constant. The psalmist admonishes that praise and joy are visual, aural, palpable, and most definitely contagious. The contrasting slow section with a soprano solo should be like an accompanied arioso, where the soloist is supported by lush, major/minor seventh chords in inversion (accompanied recitative). The soloist actually becomes the narrator in this section, the preacher or deliverer of the news that the people will be protected, sustained and blessed. The rapid tempo of the A-section returns and the staggered entrances in the last section/coda indicate the ecstasy knowing that belief can manifest itself in individualized, energized, emotional responses that can change the world. Rise up and claim the power of JOY!.
Psalm 47 was commissioned by the Sigma Alpha Iota Chapter of Hardin Simmons University (Abilene, Texas), Suzanne Watts, conductor, back in 1978. I was a graduate student at the time, and the premiere was a great success. Consequently, the work has received many performances since that time; however, it remained unpublished until now. In a modified tripartite structure, the psalmist uses the imperative verb tense as a command to the people: (you clap), (you shout), (you sing) to exemplify that praise and joy should be public, intelligent, cheerful, and constant. The psalmist admonishes that praise and joy are visual, aural, palpable, and most definitely contagious. The contrasting slow section with a soprano solo should be like an accompanied arioso, where the soloist is supported by lush, major/minor seventh chords in inversion (accompanied recitative). The soloist actually becomes the narrator in this section, the preacher or deliverer of the news that the people will be protected, sustained and blessed. The rapid tempo of the A-section returns and the staggered entrances in the last section/coda indicate the ecstasy knowing that belief can manifest itself in individualized, energized, emotional responses that can change the world. Rise up and claim the power of JOY!.
Psalm 47 was commissioned by the Sigma Alpha Iota Chapter of Hardin Simmons University (Abilene, Texas), Suzanne Watts, conductor, back in 1978. I was a graduate student at the time, and the premiere was a great success. Consequently, the work has received many performances since that time; however, it remained unpublished until now.In a modified tripartite structure, the psalmist uses the imperative verb tense as a command to the people:  (you clap), (you shout), (you sing) to exemplify that praise and joy should be public, intelligent, cheerful, and constant. The psalmist admonishes that praise and joy are visual, aural, palpable, and most definitely contagious. The contrasting slow section with a soprano solo should be like an accompanied arioso, where the soloist is supported by lush, major/minor seventh chords in inversion (accompanied recitative). The soloist actually becomes the narrator in this section, the preacher or deliverer of the news that the people will be protected, sustained and blessed. The rapid tempo of the A-section returns and the staggered entrances in the last section/coda indicate the ecstasy knowing that belief can manifest itself in individualized, energized, emotional responses that can change the world.Rise up and claim the power of JOY!

SKU: PR.466000700

UPC: 680160603534. 8.5 x 11 inches.

SKU: PR.46600070L

UPC: 680160603541. 11 x 17 inches.

SKU: PR.114410380

UPC: 680160015160. 9.5 x 13 inches.

My second String Quartet was written twenty years after the first, Opus 4 from 1978. The First Quartet is an obsessively contrapuntal work in one movement, which was no doubt influenced by my studies with David Diamond. I had always intended to return to the medium once I left the astringency of my earlier style, but it was only when the National Federation of Music Clubs commissioned a major chamber work, with unspecified instrumentation, to celebrate their 100th Anniversary that I was enabled to do so. The Second Quartet is in four movements: Moderato, Allegro isterico, an Andante theme with 11 variations, and the closing Allegro, which then returns to the tempo of the first movement. An audience member at the premiere told me that she heard echoes of recent tragic events such as the Oklahoma bombing in this work. While I had no such programmatic intent while writing the quartet, it was not an entirely incorrect assessment of the work's intended emotional impact. The quartet is pervaded by a sense of seriousness, even mournfulness. The second movement's scherzo is an aggressively animated piece of musical machinery. The third movement's Variations unfold into a greater variety of moods than the others - but the moments of lyricism are countered by aggressive or ironic outbursts. The final movement's attempt at triumph quickly subsides into a return of the first movement, before being transformed onto a sense of resignation and acceptance as the chromaticism of the opening theme is transformed into a pure and diatonic C-Major. The work received its world premiere by the Shanghai Quartet at the 100th Anniversary Congress of the National Federation of Music Clubs at the Congress Hotel in Chicago on August 19th 1998.
My second String Quartet was written twenty years after the first, Opus 4 from 1978.  The First Quartet is an obsessively contrapuntal work in one movement, which was no doubt influenced by my studies with David Diamond.  I had always intended to return to the medium once I left the astringency of my earlier style, but it was only when the National Federation of Music Clubs commissioned a major chamber work, with unspecified instrumentation, to celebrate their 100th Anniversary that I was enabled to do so.The Second Quartet is in four movements:  Moderato, Allegro isterico, an Andante theme with 11 variations, and the closing Allegro, which then returns to the tempo of the first movement.An audience member at the premiere told me that she heard echoes of recent tragic events such as the Oklahoma bombing in this work.  While I had no such programmatic intent while writing the quartet, it was not an entirely incorrect assessment of the work’s intended emotional impact.  The quartet is pervaded by a sense of seriousness, even mournfulness.  The second movement’s scherzo is an aggressively animated piece of musical machinery.  The third movement’s Variations unfold into a greater variety of moods than the others – but the moments of lyricism are countered by aggressive or ironic outbursts.  The final movement’s attempt at triumph quickly subsides into a return of the first movement, before being transformed onto a sense of resignation and acceptance as the chromaticism of the opening theme is transformed into a pure and diatonic C-Major.The work received its world premiere by the Shanghai Quartet at the 100th Anniversary Congress of the National Federation of Music Clubs at the Congress Hotel in Chicago on August 19th 1998.