Natural Mystic

SKU: HL.298174

ISBN 9781540057761. UPC: 888680951160. 9.0x12.0x0.198 inches.

This collection gives you just what you need to play 20 of your Marley favorites: lyrics, chord symbols, and guitar chord diagrams. Songs include: Africa Unite * Buffalo Soldier * Exodus * Get up Stand Up * I Shot the Sheriff * Jamming * Lively up Yourself * No Woman No Cry * One Love/People Get Ready * So Much Trouble in the World * Stir It Up * and more.

SKU: HL.14061167

UPC: 007399994945.

SKU: KJ.6278

SSA Narrator A Cappella, Milestone 6 This Mystical Contemporary Setting Features Setting Features A Haunting Lullaby For Jesus Contrasted With Sections Of Exciting Imagery. The Dramatic Narration Ads Further Dimension.

SKU: HL.14005357

ISBN 9780711975767.

De Algunos Canciones de Juan de la Cruz. This work was commissioned by the BBC for the 10th anniversary of the BBC Northern Singers in 1975. 'Dos Coros is a setting for voices of two poems by the 16th century Spanish mystic St John of the Cross. St John is widely considered to be the greatest of the Spanish mystic poets, because he comes closest to expressing what is usually considered to be inexpressible - mystical experience. His poetry is all about the intense excitement of the union with God, but, paradoxically, the word God is rarely used, and not at all in the two poems set here. Another paradox is that he is able to express great serenity by employing the imagery of rushing water, flight and even drunkenness. If mystical experience is near impossible to convey in words, then maybe it is natural that many composers have taken up the challenge of conveying it in their own medium.' Geoffrey Burgon.

SKU: GI.G-9035

UPC: 785147903505. English. Text Source: Stream of Life, verse 69 from Gitanjali, 1912. Text by Rabindranath Tagore.

I have recently been incredibly inspired by the writings of the great Bengali mystic Rabindranath Tagore, whose monumental collection of poetry Gitanjali won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. This book introduces the reader to a new awareness of the world that surrounds us, deepening the connection between nature and the human spirit that we all yearn for. Verse 69 is particularly joyful and life-affirming: an ecstatic realization of the energies that move in ceaseless ebb and flow through us, our lives, and our natural environment. Each individual line of this verse has a unique character and color, so I have placed each in a key that I feel suits the mood of the text. The constantly flowing ostinati that weave their way throughout are collectively a musical representation of the “stream of life” to which Tagore refers. This flowing line can be found even in the subdued third line of text, which makes reference to the “ocean-cradle of birth and of death.” In similar fashion, the more complex rhythmic cells found within the stream (e.g., measures 21–40) are a product of Tagore’s ecstatic tone. Ultimately this piece is simply meant to be an expression of joy. It is dedicated with great admiration to the commissioning ensemble, the Fort Myers High School Greenwave Singers, and their conductor Matt Koller. This tremendous ensemble is a prime example of choral music education in practice in the United States, and I feel honored to have been given this opportunity to work with them. —Thomas LaVoy.

SKU: CF.CM9768

ISBN 9781491160343. UPC: 680160923298. Key: G major. English.

About the WorkThe text of this work is most often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, although it doesn't mirror his style, and no research credits an essay, book or letter with its source. Other individuals are occasionally suggested as possible authors, but equally unsubstantiated. Even whether the textis a poem or a quote seems unclear. But there is one thing that is without question: that this beloved text has inspired countless people and contributed toward a view of the world through eyes of hope, resilience, courage, beauty, and joy. Music for this text flowed more easily than about any text I have ever set. It has an emotional connection that is mystical, and after I read it for the first time, I immediately sat down and wrote this work without stop.Rehearsal NotesIn many cases, art is more expressive and reaches a wider range of human emotions when multiple artistic fields are fused together. Such is the case with choral music: the intertwining of literature, music, and very often dance, visual arts, and more. The story in choral music is often quite specific, much like film scoring. At times, the music is the picture frame (score) around the picture (text), while at others the music is the leading dramatic/emotional impetus.In the present case (My Farewell Wish), the text is sincere, innocent, heartfelt, and earnest. By all accounts, the message is altruistic, expressing selfless desire for another's present/future happiness. Capturing this message has a strong reliance on the performers to not only carry the emotional intent of the moment (a phrase of text or a measure), but the the energy and continuance of the message throughout.The use of the [o] vowel functions almost as instrumental interludes or underpinning of strings. The conductor may use the [o] as indicated in the score, or a [u] vowel, a hum (with [o] as the vowel inside the mouth), or all three at different times for different reasons. In an acoustical performance (no mic), the soloist and the ensemble are a reflection of each other's natural sound. And, even gentle, warm solo voices should have no trouble projecting.Two final thoughts: 1) the obbligato or added voice or two on high passages (m. 66) or a single note (final chord) will be best delivered by lyrical, pure voices with demonstrated control; and 2) the metronome marking of 80 bpm (mm. 1–81) was strongly considered and should be followed.About the ComposerZ. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor. His composition teachers were Normand Lockwood and Cecil Effinger, both students of the Nadia Boulanger, the famous French teacher (and student of Gabriel Fauré). Randall is the artistic director of two international summer music festivals, is an Honorary Board Member of the NationalAssociation of Italian Choral Directors, and has conducted in 25 countries. He has directed over 40 times at Carnegie Hall, and is a frequent conductor at other prestigious concert venues. Randall has 190 published works, and his music can be heard on Spotify, YouTube and other platforms, including his website (www.zrstroope.com).