The desert shall rejoice - SSATTBB and violin, for Advent

m_r_taylor

Very much inspired by Vaughan Williams.

A few things here and there might change, but here it is mostly done.

Recorded with violin, viola, and MIDI. It was actually composed for my church's lessons and carols.

Thanks Andrew Malton for providing me with the Anglican Breviary translation of Germinaverunt campi which I used here from my query: https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/comment/235173#Comment_235173

The 3rd Responsory of the (Ember} Friday of the third week of Advent: [The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose:] it shall blossom abundantly with the Flower that is the sweetness of Israel, for behold the Lord God will come with strong hand, And his reward is with him. V. Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beauty.

m_r_taylor

As a taste of what it actually sounds like, here's a snippet of the violin with choir. Not enough of the piece was on point for me to post the whole recording, but hopefully you get some sort of idea.

CHGiffen

There is a beauty to this that is impossible to describe - it's heavenly.

Richard Mix

I take it the viola is written on the same staff as the violin in the opening. One should not be put off a fine piece by apparently fiendish double stops, nor waste too much time trying to guess at a feasible scordatura!

m_r_taylor

Thank you @CHGiffen! And thanks also for always leaving some kind of feedback on new work - it's quite encouraging.

@Richard Mix, very much playable (and is being played) on just a violin in normal tuning! Just requires some third position double stops and one instance of left-hand pizz. I would say the hardest part is nailing the tuning on those fifths in m. 32. I, er, don't quite nail them in this recording!

Richard Mix

Blame my cello-goggles then ;-)

Marek66

very nice written, by the way, I recommend Lutoslawski's symphonic pieces

davido

Very nice, congratulations

M. Jackson Osborn

Shades of RVW indeed!!
I hope our British friends are tuning in here.
Such poetry is rarely heard this side of the pond - especially from a Catholic pen.

m_r_taylor

Last year it received a performance in a lovely acoustic, attached here.

achoyce91

Oh beautiful!!!!! Great performance!! Have you ever had anything published or have you sold anything you've written?

m_r_taylor

Thank you! No, not at this time. I haven't written enough, I think, nor have I "shopped" existing music to publishers.

achoyce91

Man you could do it. You're the best composer I've met on here. I just have to say it.

M. Jackson Osborn

...just have to say it

I heartily second the publishing suggestion - and I'm thinking Oxford or such! Send them your work.

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