ALL-AMERICAN

Matthew begins this morning’s ‘all-American’ celebration with a set of variations by Virgil Thompson (1896-1989), which like their author are: spare, acidic, finely crafted, intellectual and a little bit ‘off.’ […in this example, the oddity is manifest by each variation being in a completely different key….] Born in Kansas City, Thompson walked the ‘A-list’ path of mid-20th century composers [first Harvard, then study in France with Nadia Boulanger, then New York City – for incubation and development…], and in addition to his work as a composer was a distinguished mentor and critic, shepherding several generations of gifted men and women into what is now known as ‘the 20th century American Classical’ sound.

The Choir follows-up with a bit of Thompson’s sparse, musico-spiritual ancestry: the touching and simple Appalachian refrain inviting us all ‘…down to the River.’

Alice Parker, whose most recent publication, ‘The Anatomy of Melody,’ explicates the power and expressiveness inherent in single musical lines, knows a good tune when she sees one, and in 1990 pulled together eight ‘American Mountain’ hymns and harmonized them with her usual clarity and strength. The choir offers a tune called ‘Resignation,’ which is most commonly associated with this paraphrase of Psalm 23 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), the giant, pivotal figure in the history of Hymnody, many of whose 750 or so hymns are current worldwide.

Because we have use of the Steinway Model ‘D’ piano this morning [still here from last nights’ wonderful recital by Jamie Barton…], I want to offer up some ‘real’ piano music, and, it being January, have decided to play a lovely, colorful ‘character’ piece by the American ‘Impressionist’ composer Charles Tomlinson Griffes [pronounced GRIFF-iss] (1884-1920). This musical style is called ‘Impressionist’ because of its fuzzy, translucent kinship with the painting style that developed at the same time. Griffes was born in Elmira, NY and, after some study in Europe, settled in as a teacher at the Hackley School in Tarrytown. He died of Influenza at the age of 35. And I find this description, by Thomas Riis, perfectly stated:

“Griffes' reportedly modest, shy, unpretentious, and witty personality is mirrored in his music: works recognized for their refined construction, subtle gestures depicting texts and moods, rhythmic sensitivity, and a marked melodic gift.”

We close with the final bars of Alice Parker’s ecstatic ‘Hark, I hear….’

-Keith Weber