Program
7Glimpses of Grief and Glee will be a concert of original chamber music composed by Amy Aberg McLelland, NCTM. A musical journey through many common experiences many of us our experiencing during these challenging times .... from cabin fever and a desire to travel, to fear, grief, hope, faith .... the program will also feature the debut of a commissioned poem by Elinor Ann Walker. Additionally, the concert will afford employment to professional musicians and members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra during the pandemic shut downs. Musicians will include Amy Aberg McLelland, piano; Daniel Szasz, violin and concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony; Warren Samples, cello and principal cellist of the Alabama Symphony; vocalists, and percussionist. Location (for in person venue) will be Independent Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama. Tentative date = February 7, 2020. If you wish to contribute please visit our GoFundMe page or simply contact us.
Postcards
1. Novaturient
2. Saudade
3. Resfeber
4. Yoko Meshi
5. Fernweh
6. Trouvaille
7. Livsnjutare
8. Soligivant
9. Numinous
10. Quaquaversal
1. Novaturient
2. Saudade
3. Resfeber
4. Yoko Meshi
5. Fernweh
6. Trouvaille
7. Livsnjutare
8. Soligivant
9. Numinous
10. Quaquaversal
Computer program version of score with background and information:
Puppy Suite
This set of 3 pieces pays tribute to our household pets who are providing so many with comfort during quarantine.
Day 13
200 Central Park West
Lots of people have a rug. Not many have a pug.
Computer program version of score with background and information:
24 Hours
Reflections on covid pandemic
This work for piano solo is based upon Psalm 91, reflecting the 24-hour protection that God gives us as well as the speed at which everything is changing every 24 hours. Yet “there is no threat, whether seen or unseen, anticipated or unexpected, which can catch God unaware and unable to protect us.”
The Hebrew day had four equal parts, and this verse reveals that each one is under God’s protection. (Psalm 91:5-6) “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day, nor of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that layeth waste at noonday.” (NIV) “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”
I. Movement - Darkness (Midnight – 6AM)
This movement describes the “noisome pestilence that walketh in darkness.” Pestilence can be any virulent or fatal contagious disease, or anything that endangers morals and welfare of society. Some interpretations use the word “plague” which, of course, is anything that afflicts or causes troubles or calamity, which could be a contagious or deadly pandemic virus like Covid 19, locusts, or perhaps poverty, or crippling fear and worry.
II. Movement - Day (6AM – Noon)
The focus for this movement is on Psalm 91:4, inspired by the image of God’s protection as portrayed by a mother bird, who safely tucks her young under her wings where they are secure. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge...”
III. “Noonday” (Noon – 6PM)
“The destruction that layeth waste at noonday” (Psalm 91:6) The opening of this movement is the composer’s interpretation of how the coronavirus would sound if it were music, oozing in an effortless, sinister manner throughout the world. A familiar tune (Twinkle, Twinkle), which many of us likely hear or sing while washing out hands, interrupts, albeit clothed in anger, fear, frustration, and vengeance.
IV. Movement - “Night” (6PM – Midnight)
Dangers can be obvious (a Tsunami, or a fierce tiger) or subtle and seemingly hidden (Covid 19, a seduction of a deadly sin, or a net trap camouflaged under the leaves.). This movement depicts both the obvious “terrors of the night” as well as the hidden “snares of fowler.”
For another light read, check out the methods the Fowler’s (professional bird catchers) used in ancient times. Gruesome things actually, like sewing birds’ eyes shut so they would cry, thus lure other birds close so they could shoot them with arrows or a throw stick (Ecclesiasticus 11:30) when partridges or quail were running up hill. Read about the fowlers’ practices and it will shed new light on the passages regarding “escaping the snare” and expressions like “freeing the caged bird.”
I’m guessing that the Fowler represents Satan or perhaps an evil person who entices you into a sinful act or ‘trap’. (Psalm 119:110) So, in addition to the more obvious “terrors of the night”, this piece also depicts perhaps the more subtle, sinister schemes of the devil (the opening) …. snares which are meant to lure us and destroy or enslave us. “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” (Proverbs 29:25) And my FAVORITE in these times, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (1 Timothy 6:9)
With the closing of the movement, we turn to verses 1-2 of Psalm 91 - “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” And verses 9-11: “Because thou hast made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Or the Good News version, no offense to King James, “You have made the Lord your defender, the Most High your protector, and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home. God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.”
God provides constant protection, twenty-four hours a day (Isa. 43:2). I’m holding onto that. Stay safe everyone and prayers to you all for health and protection.
This work for piano solo is based upon Psalm 91, reflecting the 24-hour protection that God gives us as well as the speed at which everything is changing every 24 hours. Yet “there is no threat, whether seen or unseen, anticipated or unexpected, which can catch God unaware and unable to protect us.”
The Hebrew day had four equal parts, and this verse reveals that each one is under God’s protection. (Psalm 91:5-6) “Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day, nor of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that layeth waste at noonday.” (NIV) “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”
I. Movement - Darkness (Midnight – 6AM)
This movement describes the “noisome pestilence that walketh in darkness.” Pestilence can be any virulent or fatal contagious disease, or anything that endangers morals and welfare of society. Some interpretations use the word “plague” which, of course, is anything that afflicts or causes troubles or calamity, which could be a contagious or deadly pandemic virus like Covid 19, locusts, or perhaps poverty, or crippling fear and worry.
II. Movement - Day (6AM – Noon)
The focus for this movement is on Psalm 91:4, inspired by the image of God’s protection as portrayed by a mother bird, who safely tucks her young under her wings where they are secure. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge...”
III. “Noonday” (Noon – 6PM)
“The destruction that layeth waste at noonday” (Psalm 91:6) The opening of this movement is the composer’s interpretation of how the coronavirus would sound if it were music, oozing in an effortless, sinister manner throughout the world. A familiar tune (Twinkle, Twinkle), which many of us likely hear or sing while washing out hands, interrupts, albeit clothed in anger, fear, frustration, and vengeance.
IV. Movement - “Night” (6PM – Midnight)
Dangers can be obvious (a Tsunami, or a fierce tiger) or subtle and seemingly hidden (Covid 19, a seduction of a deadly sin, or a net trap camouflaged under the leaves.). This movement depicts both the obvious “terrors of the night” as well as the hidden “snares of fowler.”
For another light read, check out the methods the Fowler’s (professional bird catchers) used in ancient times. Gruesome things actually, like sewing birds’ eyes shut so they would cry, thus lure other birds close so they could shoot them with arrows or a throw stick (Ecclesiasticus 11:30) when partridges or quail were running up hill. Read about the fowlers’ practices and it will shed new light on the passages regarding “escaping the snare” and expressions like “freeing the caged bird.”
I’m guessing that the Fowler represents Satan or perhaps an evil person who entices you into a sinful act or ‘trap’. (Psalm 119:110) So, in addition to the more obvious “terrors of the night”, this piece also depicts perhaps the more subtle, sinister schemes of the devil (the opening) …. snares which are meant to lure us and destroy or enslave us. “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” (Proverbs 29:25) And my FAVORITE in these times, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (1 Timothy 6:9)
With the closing of the movement, we turn to verses 1-2 of Psalm 91 - “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” And verses 9-11: “Because thou hast made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Or the Good News version, no offense to King James, “You have made the Lord your defender, the Most High your protector, and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home. God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.”
God provides constant protection, twenty-four hours a day (Isa. 43:2). I’m holding onto that. Stay safe everyone and prayers to you all for health and protection.
Computer program version of score with background and information:
Poetry and Music
Blue Boy
Triple Clef (Poem by commissioned poet Elinor Ann Walker - inspired by the composition "Blue Boy")
Layers (reflections on the poem 'Triple Clef')
"Hope" is the thing with feathers
Forever is Composed of Nows
Mowing
The Sound of Trees
And, Again, I Say Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4-8
King James Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
King James Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.