Of Dust and Eternal is inspired by the Christmas hymn, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. The hymn tune is based on a Polish 13th-century folk tune (entitled, W Żłobie Leży) and adds an ascending harmonic sequence in the third line that perfectly captures the rising hope of the Christmas season.
Written for string orchestra and optional harp, this arrangement adds original compositional sections based on tiny fragments of the hymn tune. Four-part independent writing interlaces these motifs to create a fabric of cannon and counterpoint that broadens the original tonal harmonies and textures. Beginning with a simple exposition of the hymn, this seasonal work builds and expands into a journey of wonder and anticipation. The piece closes with a crescendo and modulation into a reprise of the hymn – a glorious celebration of the miraculous Infant’s birth and His promise.
Born from visions of enchanted forests and streams of sunlight, this neoclassical-style string orchestra piece ushers us through a journey of mystical beauty and dark shadows.
I am inspired by trail hiking through state parks and wilderness. Standing at a trailhead, my mind floods with expectations. Sunshine speckling the forest floor, trees whispering in waves like an ocean shore, and wildlife preoccupied with its next meal. I take comfort in familiar, well-worn trails. Yet, at times faint pathways call me to adventure. The light and shade fill me with wonder in one moment, and suspense in another.
This concert work represents our encounters with sunshine and shadows, promise and poignancy, hope and despair. The exposition of the main theme portrays hope and confidence in the journey. As our pilgrimage takes a less-traveled path, new themes emerge. They intertwine as we contend with the shadows. Finally, we reach a new vista. The main theme returns transformed into a major key brimming with wonder and resolve.
All of us are wanderers. I hope this concert work inspires you to bravely take the lesser-known pathways that make you feel more alive. Pursue your dreams and conquer the dark shadows along the way.
By joining this community of performers, you will have exclusive performance rights to perform this concert work in your city (and surrounding area) through 2024.
This concert work is now available for an exclusive area premiere!
A three-movement action/adventure symphonic work for full orchestra conjuring tall ships, seafaring heroes, and pirates!
The first movement, entitled “Tall Ship Launch” starts with the ship’s confident and noble theme. This movement introduces many themes that are developed in the other movements and concludes with the mysterious and unsettling sea theme. The second movement, “The Battle” starts as a seafaring march in compound rhythms and low brass fanfare. The intensity builds into action music, angular octatonic harmonies, sword battles on deck, cannon fire, and ends in hopeless destruction. The last movement, entitled “The Return” begins in lament and loss. But just as all hope is lost, the Tall Ship emerges from the smoke and fire. The music follows its journey to safe harbor, and ultimately to its triumphant return.
Interested in premiering? Please get in touch with David from theConnectpage.
Recording Credits: Performance – Budapest Symphony Orchestra Production assistance – Peter Illényi Contracting – Peter Kovács Mixing and Mastering – Brad Sayles
This concert work is now available for an exclusive area premiere!
A patriotic tone poem for string orchestra, piano and timpani.
Whether performed for Memorial Day, a Veteran’s Day celebration, or other concert program, your orchestra is sure to leave its audience full of heart and pride for the tremendous sacrifice and selfless service of our champions of courage.
Program Notes
This original concert work overflows with Americana themes of bravery and valor. Written largely in the melodic and harmonic language of American 19th century, the piece touches on hymnody and folk rhythms that conjure feelings of reverence and hope.
Memories and recall of war crest as the high strings strain the hero motif and percussive ostinatos are played by piano and low strings. Finally, the music breaks as trepidation falls into tension, and tension into repose. The patriotic themes return, and hope and anticipation build into a glorious reunion.
A Composer’s Introspection
The warmth of embrace, the pride of patriotism, the tears of togetherness. Our military reunions move us because we can only imagine what our loved ones have walked through and seen. Soldiers returning from war walk with the scars borne by the perils and desperations of war. Holding our hero tight in homecoming’s embrace also means acknowledging we are holding one who experienced turmoil as a sacrifice for the freedoms of our country.
“A Hero’s Welcome” captures the layers of emotional complexity that come home alongside the soldier. Intermixed with the joy of return, the score also contains anxious motifs like storm clouds that appear and reappear. Certainly, every hero or heroine, whether soldier or first responder, lives with memories of loss and horror. These are the bruises that will forever stay with them, yet their sacrifices are not in vain.
Interested in premiering? Please get in touch with David through theConnectpage.
Originally commissioned by the Yellow Rose Sax Quartet, this custom arrangement of the classic hit by Nat King Cole is sure to bring smiles to your reception, cocktail party or any nostalgic evening.
Parts included are soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones.
This original marching band show is based on the story-arch of the phoenix – an immortal bird from Greek mythology that is transformed following a fiery death into victorious new life. Many analogies of this archetype make this compositional work perfect for stories of struggle, death, and overcoming (e.g., an unlikely hero’s tale, war, wildfires, violent volcanoes). Whether a natural disaster or personal travail, all of us can identify with this narrative – facing and overcoming adversity with personal transformation and achievement.
The show opens with a peaceful but industrious theme led by mallets and high woodwinds. With a warning heralded from the piccolo, everything changes, and an ominous theme is introduced by the low brass. This theme gradually builds in dread until a violent climax of destruction (e.g., death). Following the disaster, quietly the theme is restated as a mournful bugle call featuring solo trumpet. A new hope rises in the second movement which begins with a melancholy theme featured on solo Flugelhorn. This theme grows in strength and ambition until it breaks into celebration with the opening industrious theme recapitulated in a major key. The show concludes with a triumphant brass fanfare declaring a victorious transformation and achievement over death and destruction.
Score and parts include an optional thematic 16 bar warm-up prelude.
Italian organist and composer, Pietro A. Yon composed Gesú Bambino for his congregation in 1917. Later, lyricist Frederick H. Martens adapted the tune into his English-language version, When Blossoms Flowered ‘mid the Snows. Although lesser known than some carols, Gesú Bambino continues to grow in its number of publications and international popularity.
The carol’s tune reflects a Latin-root folk charm with its simple compound rhythms and harmonic sensibilities. This Theme and Variations arrangement adds some surprises including a brass chorale, playful woodwind flourishes and joyful call-and-response refrains. As with the original version, the chorus is played in counterpoint with the traditional tune, Adeste Fideles (Oh Come Let Us Adore Him), making this carol the perfect celebrative addition to any holiday program.
The Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish hymn likely composed in the 12th century. Although its magnetic melody is less known outside of the song’s homeland, its old-world folk charm captivates hearts upon first hearing. The refrain wanders through Ionian, Mixolydian and Dorian modes, beautifully combining the introspection and hopefulness of the Christmas season. This arrangement is in Theme and Variations form and navigates through an Irish air-style violin solo and a series of short wind solos to establish the melody. Variations include a brass chorale, decorative tutti sections, and a build into a broad celebrative climax with large, powerful Copland-esque harmonies.
Recording Credits:
Performance – Budapest Symphony Orchestra
Production assistance – Peter Illényi
Contracting – Peter Kovács
Mixing and Mastering – Brad Sayles
Old world variations of a traditional Christmas hymn melody (HYFRYDOL). This work creates Christmas cheer in a unique way, with folk-like drones and plaintive solos alongside an allegro with charming syncopations. The performance opens in the style of a Scottish “slow air” and develops into festive variations. (mock-up recording)
This arrangement for string orchestra and harp (or piano) unites ancient hymn, “Of The Father’s Heart Begotten” and the familiar Tudor melody “Greensleeves” with a strong melodic sensibility and diverse, lush textures. Arranged for strings and harp (or optionally piano). (mock-up recording)
