PROJECT : ENCORE™: Pentecost

 Inspired by Gregorian Chat "Benedicta es" for the International Josquin Conference at Princeton University 1999

 I composed my Alleluia in memory of the firefighter son of friends of mine. He died at the WTC on 9/11. My response was to create an Alleluia that has a combination of
power, anger and resignation. The singers in the Chicago Chorale heard strong references to the Dies Irae, and I retroactively agree: the intervallic structure I chose is reminiscence of that source. It was, however, an unconscious reference.

I chose this text because I think it asks us to acknowledge the minor misdeeds and omissions we permit in our everyday lives. So often we make small allowances for ourselves, fudge things that are difficult for us, or mistreat our loved ones in little ways. Most of the time we allow ourselves to ignore these things, hoping that nobody, perhaps not even ourselves, will notice. I think that those small things are often far more important than they seem, and I hope that this text, and this piece, will remind us to be more careful of ourselves and of one another.

In this work I try to give musical representations of joyful shouts and jubilant song, the vast calm of the sea, mystical murmurs by rivers and mountains, and human hope in the "strong right arm" of the King of the universe. I am a melodic composer, and I try to use a supporting harmonic language that is interesting and challenging to the performers, yet accessible and comprehensible to listeners.