Stream

SKU: PR.11441750S

UPC: 680160634934. 9.5 x 13 inches.

Stream for Clarinet and String Quartet (2015) was commissioned by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society in celebration of its 30th Anniversary Season, through support of The William Penn Foundation. The first performance was in April 2016 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Notes from the composer: The 'line' in Stream is often threaded together into a chain made up of separate 'points' played by the strings, and sometimes by the string and the clarinet. An analogy might be that each instrument, at times, produces a single 'ray of light' from within the larger light source. Moreover, there are many passages where the intended effect is that of the strings providing a 'halo' surrounding the solo clarinet. Similarly, the clarinet often dovetails with, as well as emerges or submerges in and out of, a strand in the string music..
What's in a name?   In my titles, I generally aim to capture something that I believe to be essential about the particular work.  At some level this is to offer an entry-point for the listener, a glimpse of the composition in its totality.  STREAM as a title came to be when much of the music was already fully composed, and it encapsulates much of what I wish to say in words about this work: it suggests flow - whether gentle or forceful; it implies a journey, one that could take us onto unexpected terrains yet is always moving forward; embedded into this word is also the idea of stream of consciousness, and with it, free association and unexpected twists of fancy. Approximately 16 minutes in duration, STREAM is to be played without a break, yet there are strong elements of a three-movement structure here. An expository quasi-first-movement lays out important materials of varying character; the middle part, suggesting contrast and repose, is initially slow and reflective, but then embarks on new explorations of the notion of stasis, while the final movement is dominated by fast-moving music of high energy that consolidates the previous materials.  Important throughout is the way in which seemingly transitional stretches of music emerge and propel the music onward in ways that are at once unexpected and fantastical. A composer's statement about this work would not be complete without acknowledging the degree to which the work was inspired by the awareness that it was being created for a quintet of extraordinary performers of the most beautiful and flowing musicianship - clarinet virtuoso Anthony McGill and the intrepid Brentano Quartet. Shulamit Ran .

SKU: GI.G-9035

UPC: 785147903505. English. Text Source: Stream of Life, verse 69 from Gitanjali, 1912. Text by Rabindranath Tagore.

I have recently been incredibly inspired by the writings of the great Bengali mystic Rabindranath Tagore, whose monumental collection of poetry Gitanjali won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. This book introduces the reader to a new awareness of the world that surrounds us, deepening the connection between nature and the human spirit that we all yearn for. Verse 69 is particularly joyful and life-affirming: an ecstatic realization of the energies that move in ceaseless ebb and flow through us, our lives, and our natural environment. Each individual line of this verse has a unique character and color, so I have placed each in a key that I feel suits the mood of the text. The constantly flowing ostinati that weave their way throughout are collectively a musical representation of the “stream of life” to which Tagore refers. This flowing line can be found even in the subdued third line of text, which makes reference to the “ocean-cradle of birth and of death.” In similar fashion, the more complex rhythmic cells found within the stream (e.g., measures 21–40) are a product of Tagore’s ecstatic tone. Ultimately this piece is simply meant to be an expression of joy. It is dedicated with great admiration to the commissioning ensemble, the Fort Myers High School Greenwave Singers, and their conductor Matt Koller. This tremendous ensemble is a prime example of choral music education in practice in the United States, and I feel honored to have been given this opportunity to work with them. —Thomas LaVoy.

SKU: CA.739400

ISBN 9790007186067. Language: English. Text: Tagore, Rabindranath.

The same stream of life for mixed choir (SSAATTBB), lyrics by Bengali poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, was commissioned by the conductor of the New Dublin Voices, Bernie Sherlock. The New Dublin Voices were awarded for the piece, from the Arts Council Ireland. The piece was premiered at the Unitarian Church on Sunday 11th September 2016 in Dublin. It was performed at leading festivals and competitions including the International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf in June 2017, and the World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona (July 2017).

SKU: HL.48000592

UPC: 073999314236. 8.25x11.75x0.021 inches.

Contents: Beside the Stream * A Song Game * One Night in Summer * Forest Trees are Swaying.

SKU: LO.C493

UPC: 000308004021.