listening

Past posts about listening:
fresh young jazz, goat rodeo sessions, jazz worship

Here are some of my favorite pieces that I just never get tired of listening to…

This piece of minimalist vocal music by David Lang has quickly become my favorite. The text is from the Song of Solomon.

Allow me to present minimalist composer, Rhys Chatham and 56:33 minutes of his music, A Crimson Grail for 400 guitars…..yes! 400 guitars gathered in Paris’ Sacre Cœur Cathedral for the Nuit Blanche of 2005.

Here’s a fabulous video by my friend Veronica Charley of Plumes

I really enjoy this piece by Patrick Watson…..the percussion is done with pots & pans

New Hymn
by James Taylor and Reynolds Price

Source of all we hope or dread
Sheepdog, jackal, rattler, swan
We hunt your face and long to trust
That your hid mouth will say again let there be light
A clear new day

But when we thirst in this dry night
We drink from hot wells poisoned with the blood of children
And when we strain to hear a steady homing beam
Our ears are balked by stifled moans
And howls of desolation from the throats of sisters, brother, wild men
Clawing at the gates for bread

Even our own feeble hands
Aim to seize the crown you wear
And work our private havoc through
The known and unknown lands of space

Absolute in flame beyond us
Seed and source of Dark and Day
Maker whom we beg to be
Our mother father comrade mate

Till our few atoms blow to dust
Or form again in wiser lives
Or find your face and hear our name
In your calm voice the end of night
If dark may end
Wellspring gold of Dark and Day
Be here, be now

This piece of music has recently grabbed my heart and won’t let go. It is performed by FleshQuartet. The ballet is one scene from Appartment by Mats Ek.

First Circle by Pat Metheny…even though it’s from the late 80’s to me it’s timeless!

There is something very spiritual about First Circle…I think it has to do with the long over-arching melodies that soar about the other faster rhythmic complexities.

Corpus Christi Carol by Jeff Buckley…the text is from the 15th century!

I listen to a lot of music….a wide variety….but certain pieces of 20th century classical / choral music touch me profoundly. Below are some of my favorites.