Sad news, grief, and a hymn
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    NB. 27th May 2022: Further down is a revision made in light of the mass shooting in Texas.

    NB. Today (5th January 2021), I've replaced the files with updated ones, representing some revisions that I've made, beginning in October 2020 when the first anniversary of Alex's passing led me to consider refining the work as much as possible. In addition to a "hymnal" score (no descant), I've included the "choir" score (with organ & oboe accompaniment) which reflects the MP3 sound file and is useful for any choir wishing to sing the work as I have conceived it, complete with the 3rd stanza descant. For completeness, I've also attached an updated MP3 sound file with strings & oboe accompaniment (as in the original posting).
    - CHG

    **********

    Dearest friends,

    My son Alexander passed away shortly after midnight on October 25th, after a rapid decline in a long battle with metastatic cancer (originally from an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland that had caused him to lose an eye a few years ago). While my grief is almost insurmountable and I'm nearly inconsolable, I've taken refuge in music as the way that I express my deepest feelings (I don't express myself well verbally, although writing is marginally better than speaking).

    And so here is a hymn "Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled" whose text is set to the hymn tune O'CONNELL that I had composed shortly after the recent passing of Thomas P. O'Connell's (a friend and founder of a local funeral home), knowing full well that it would not be too long before our dear Alexander would pass away, also. The tune (originally) was composed to be paired with another tune for a completely different text (which I shall share here shortly), but when I found this particular text, I knew that it was particularly appropriate as a hymn to honour my son.

    The text speaks primarily of the loss of a child, and, Alexander was my child whom I held lovingly in my arms when he was but a baby, an infant, a small boy - even as, every night for several years now, I carry our sweet black & tan miniature Dachshund, Cocoa Bean, off to bed, cradled in my arms, each of us looking lovingly at each other - something that I've come to associate more and more especially with Alex, but also with each of my children.

    Requiescat in pace, Alex. May angels guide your spirit to heaven.

    Sending love to all of you, even in the midst of grief,
    Chuck Giffen

    “Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
    ― Jamie Anderson
    Thanked by 15Incardination Carol Salieri doneill Casavant Organist Hugh Schönbergian teachermom24 afries52 JacobFlaherty Heath Caleferink ServiamScores marymezzo Drake
  • ClemensRomanusClemensRomanus
    Posts: 1,023
    Requiescat in pace. I’m so sorry. Praying for you.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,365
    My condolences are yours.

    May light perpetual shine upon Alexander and all the faithful departed.

    And many thanks for sharing your hymn.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • NihilNominisNihilNominis
    Posts: 986
    Lux aeterna. I'm so very sorry.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Requiescat in pace.

    How old was he. Did he leave a widow or children or both?
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,157
    Very sad.
    God bless Alexander and you and all your family.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    Alex turned 34 on October 14th, left a family that includes two young children, Emma and Leon.
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,365
    I'll put you and your family on the prayer list at Walsingham, and will put Alex on the All Souls' list of those to be remembered at mass.
    Thanked by 5JonathanLC tomjaw CHGiffen Choirparts PolskaPiano
  • Incardination
    Posts: 832
    Prayers and best wishes from Cincinnati for Alex and his family, for you and your wife.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    I am so sorry. May his memory be eternal. Prayers for him and all of his family.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Randolph Nichols
    Posts: 398
    I'm so sorry to hear this. May God comfort and sustain you and your family.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Carol
    Posts: 848
    So sorry for your loss and what a beautiful tribute you have written. I will be praying for Alex and for all who loved him.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,916
    I’ll have a priest offer a Requiem mass for him. My prayers are with you in this difficult time.
    Thanked by 2Incardination CHGiffen
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    My condolences, Charles. Prayers for his soul, and for you and your family. Requiescat in Pace.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • DavidWilde
    Posts: 11
    I'm so sorry to hear this. Praying for you and for your family.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • PaxMelodious
    Posts: 425
    Condolences for you and your family. And what a lovely piece to have written in his memory.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • davido
    Posts: 873
    Charles can we do anything for your daughter in law?
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    Thanks, davido, but Kelsey has a good support group, and her mother is staying with her for a time.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    While not wishing to turn this into simply a music theory/composition thread:
    I noticed that the passage in O'CONNELL at bars 6-7 is identical to bars 6-7 of RASMUS--was this a conscious decision on your part or just a felix culpa? Bars 6-7 are my favorite part of RASMUS, and the link between the text in that passage and the context new hymn are amazingly apt, since that part always seems to speak of Love: e.g. in Vs. 3 of "Let thy blood" (the part set in those to bars in bold):
    By the thorns crowned thy brow,
    By the spear-wound and the nailing,
    By the pain and death, I now
    Claim, O Christ, thy love unfailing.
    Thou didst give thyself for me,
    Now I give myself to thee.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Liam
    Posts: 4,941
    Memory eternal. And comfort and strength to you and your family and all of his loved ones.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    My condolences to you, Charles, as a fellow composer, brother in Christ, and as a member (Alexander) graduating from the Church Militant to the Church Suffering.

    All my daily rosaries forward will include Alexander, because each one I pray is for those who have died that I know, even if only through our cyber relations... is it possible to have a picture of him in memoriam?
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • janetgorbitzjanetgorbitz
    Posts: 964
    My condolences. So sorry for your loss. I'll add Alex, his wife and children, and you and your wife to my prayers.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,703
    is it possible to have a picture of him in memoriam?
    Or even better a prayer card, my missals and various music books are full of them. Each time I see one I say a prayer for the person commemorated on the card.

    Will add Alexander to my list of people to have Requiems said for their intention.
    Thanked by 3francis CHGiffen Incardination
  • Little_DurufleLittle_Durufle
    Posts: 57
    He will be in my prayers for this month of Holy Souls. I'm so sorry.

    Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem sempiternam.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    Here is a fairly recent picture of Alexander. Thank you all so very much for your thoughts, your wishes, and your prayers.
    Alex.jpg
    884 x 884 - 64K
    Thanked by 8CharlesW Richard Mix tomjaw Earl_Grey JacobFlaherty canadash Carol marymezzo
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,183
    Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heav'n:
    to enter into that gate and dwell in that house,
    where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
    no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
    no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
    no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
    in the habitation of thy glory and dominion, world without end.     -John Donne.

    Requiescat in pace. Our prayers go with you this day.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • ViolaViola
    Posts: 390
    All your family are in our prayers, and thank you for a beautiful piece of music.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • mmeladirectress
    Posts: 1,075
    Dear Charles
    So sad to hear of your loss.
    His name will be placed on the altar here, in the month of holy souls
    and you & family will be placed in my rosaries, committing you to Our Lady of Sorrows, who knows what it is to lose a child. Requiescat in pace.
    Thanked by 2Incardination CHGiffen
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,499
    I am so sorry, dear Chuck. May Alexander rest in peace.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • GambaGamba
    Posts: 539
    I am praying for you both, Mr. Giffen. Thank you for being a loving father, and preparing your son to recognize the music of heaven right away.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen mmeladirectress Carol
  • CatherineS
    Posts: 690
    I'm very sorry. May he rest in peace. I'll keep you in my prayers.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • JacobFlahertyJacobFlaherty
    Posts: 328
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Know of my and my family’s prayers for him, you, his wife, and for your whole family. Requiem aeternam!
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • TeresaH
    Posts: 53
    I join my prayers to all the rest for Alex and all your family. You have a lot of friends here. I hope Gregorian Masses can and will be said for him.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • canadashcanadash
    Posts: 1,499
    I'm so very sorry. We will keep you in our prayers. I can't even imagine. May he rest in peace.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Maybeso
    Posts: 4
    How lovely your hymn, Mr. Giffen!
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen Drake
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,152
    Praying for you, your family & friends, and the repose of your son's soul.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,464
    I will add my prayers to those of the many here. Also that the Lord may comfort you in a very special way and reassure you that he is in Loving arms.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • PolskaPiano
    Posts: 255
    Prayers for your family, his, and Alexander.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    @Salieri wrote:
    I noticed that the passage in O'CONNELL at bars 6-7 is identical to bars 6-7 of RASMUS--was this a conscious decision on your part or just a felix culpa? Bars 6-7 are my favorite part of RASMUS, and the link between the text in that passage and the context new hymn are amazingly apt, since that part always seems to speak of Love: e.g. in Vs. 3 of "Let thy blood" ...

    Much of the connection is revealed in here, in this thread about my setting of the entire "Holy God, we praise thy Name" (all 8 stanzas, as a Te Deum paraphrase) to a combination of RASMUS (recast in triple 6/4meter from the original duple 4/4 meter) and O'CONNELL (the tune for "Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled"). Indeed, O'CONNELL was composed with the triple meter RASMUS in mind, as a dominant relative minor tune to the F-major RASMUS, and in bars 6-7 melodic correspondence is certainly serendipitous. The recent passing of Thomas O'Connell and facing the imminent passing of my son Alexander were much on my mind in the composition of O'CONNELL.

    Salieri's observations about how bars 6-7 in "Let Thy Blood in mercy poured" (set to RASMUS in the original duple meter) seem to speak of Love is something that I was not consciously aware of at the time, but it is indeed certainly apt, even if serendipitous. If anything, this new setting of (the complete 8 stanza) "Holy God, we praise thy Name" as an English language paraphrase of the Te Deum has a deeper meaning and significance, at least to me.

    Thanks again to Salieri and to all of you for your thoughts and prayers on behalf of Alexander. I am deeply grateful and appreciative for your care and support.

    Thanked by 1Incardination
  • JKWJKW
    Posts: 40
    I sang each verse aloud as set here and tearfully and prayerfully offered them for you and your family. Moving setting. Thank you for sharing your music at such a time of intense grief and sorrow. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen Incardination ServiamScores
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,464
    Charles know that we are all praying for you and your family. I will enter him in our book of rememberance
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • mahrt
    Posts: 517
    Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat ei.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Cantus67Cantus67
    Posts: 207
    Chuck, I can't tell you how sorry we are to hear of this. I can't imagine what you're going through. Please know that we'll be praying for you and I'll forward a prayer request for your families healing in every way, and for the repose of his soul.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    It is now two and a half months since the first anniversary of Alexander's death. I've updated the first post in this thread with some revisions to "Gentle Shepherd, Thou Hast Stilled" that I made, beginning this past October. The result, while still in a minor mode, feels even more poignantly lyrical than the original.
    Thanked by 4ServiamScores M. Jackson Osborn marymezzo Andrew_Malton
  • Jehan_Boutte
    Posts: 264
    @CHGiffen

    Thank you very much for this hymn and rest assured of my prayers for your family and for the eternal rest of your son.

    In Christ,
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,365
    A perfect wedding of tune and text.
    I'll put Alexander on Walsingham's prayer list again this week.
    Surely, we all share your sadness and your loss.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • marymezzomarymezzo
    Posts: 236
    Charles, I'm so sorry. I will remember Alexander and all your family in prayers.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,464
    May eternal light shine on him.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    UPDATE, in light of the tragic mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

    As soon as I heard of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, I brought out my hymn "Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled" which I had composed in October of 2019 in memory of my late son Alexander. The scope and sadness and grief and sorrow over yet another senseless mass shooting at an elementary school led me to make yet another revision of the arrangement - with more motion of the inner parts, somewhat slower tempo, and a few more dissonances/suspensions that reflect the intense emotions of the tragic loss of lives. So, now this hymn will forever be associated (at least in my mind and heart) not only with the loss of my beloved son Alexander but also with the horrific loss of the children and teachers at Robb Elementary School.
    Giffen-Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled-choir-b.pdf
    133K
    Giffen-Gentle Shepherd, Thou hast stilled-choir-b-160kbps.mp3
    4M
    Thanked by 10NihilNominis smvanroode sdtalley3 ServiamScores MarkS Carol Chris Garton-Zavesky francis Choirparts oldhymns
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,721
    Charles, I hope you wont mind this, but I took the liberty of a slower tempo and a soft flute with trem to turn it into a gentle organ chorale prelude. It is positively lovely this way. There is some gentle, probing quality to this chorale which I find enchanting; it reminds me as a more somber counterpart to O Jesulein ßuss.
    Gentle Shepherd, Thou Hast Stilled • Giffen trem.mp3
    3M
    Thanked by 3sdtalley3 MarkS CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,148
    @ServiamScores - I am completely in agreement about a slower tempo, and your recording with a soft flute+trem is quite poignant. Indeed, I had been playing with a slower tempo, too, and the following just published YouTube video is more-or-less what I had in mind. The video has organ flutes as well as quiet individual section strings (that take the choir parts) - and there is a solo oboe which doubles the melody in the first verse and takes the descant on the final verse (the rhetorical flourish at the end is slightly modified from the previous score, representing how I play it).

    https://youtu.be/xF7V3lX17hI

    Thanked by 1ServiamScores
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