Below is a link for the video of my third cantata at St. Mary’s, for November 1st, 2020 (the Solemnity of All Saints). As Fr. Andrew had requested the Dvorak “American” Quartet for the occasion, I wrote the cantata not for the normal instrumentation of voice, violin, and continuo, but for voice and string quartet (altered: bass instead of cello).
This video is my first attempt to share my work with you. The video is “unlisted”, meaning you need the link to see it, but you don’t need special permission. I figure putting the link here, in my blog, is about the best way there is to keep it secret. We’ve already changed the way we do some things; I now set the Psalm myself, rather than writing an introduction to it, and I’ve separated the instrumental intro into a Sinfonia to introduce the first reading. But perhaps you can see that in a later cantata.
The video and sound are as good as could be hoped for with a little field recorder. You can hear the remarkable acoustic of St. Mary’s church, which I’m beginning to understand and exploit. I put the score to one side, as well as some commentary as the cantata progresses to elucidate some decisions and text choices. I hope this is entertaining. I wanted you to have the full cantata experience, so I’ve included almost everything. I put the scripture readings up briefly, but not the recordings of the readings themselves. You can pause and read them if you want. In a future iteration I may record them myself. I’ve also included Zecca’s entire performance of the Psalm, and Fr. Andrew’s entire singing of the Gospel—both quite beautiful—but if you just want to hear the new music, you can easily find those points.
That’s a lot of explanation for a very humble offering. But I can rejoice at Jessica’s voice, the enthusiasm of the string players, and the opportunity to exercise my creativity for a welcoming community.
https://youtu.be/NvjQD_3Cygo
12.1.20
St. Mary’s Church
Grand St. Manhattan