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At our summer concert, one of the pieces we are looking forward to singing is Stephen Paulus’ “The Road Home”. It was written 25 years ago and is based on an American folk tune captured in 1835. The librettist, Michael Dennis Browne, said that he wanted something of significant simplicity, something memorable, something that enhances the music; something immediate. Paulus and Browne have produced a very moving piece. The American folk tune it is based on uses the pentatonic scale which has five notes in an octave rather than the eight that western ears are more used to. The black notes on the piano are in a pentatonic scale. Interestingly, pentatonic scales were developed independently by many ancient civilizations. Leonard Bernstien said “The universality of this scale is so well known that I'm sure you could give me examples of it, from all corners of the earth [...] now, that is a true musico-linguistic universal.” Many of us even sing in the pentatonic at least once a year when we bring in the new year with Auld Lang Syne!
Along with the Paulus, we are singing Copland’s Old American Songs which include something for everyone. Fun pieces such as “Ching-a-ring Chaw” and “I Bought Me a Cat”, religious-based pieces such as “At the River” and the beautiful lullaby “The Little Horses”. Althouse's "Shenandoah" goes well with these. We’re delighted to be singing some of Paul Ayre’s works too – we have performed concerts with Paul on the piano in the past. The chorale “Sure on this shining night” by Samuel Barber is also delightful with wonderful harmonies. And there will be some solo pieces on an American theme played by Wyn Hyland.
The concert will be followed by the chance to catch up with the choir, conductor and audience with a drink.
Do join us for what will be a very enjoyable evening!
(Photo by Pexels from Freerange Stock) |
