I like the somber tone. I did a similar setting. Goes much better with the words than the usual jaunty setting.

Performed by:
Becca Topp, soprano
Stan Chen, violin
Kaytea Glen, flute
Sarah Padovani, clarinet
David Potvin, piano
Andrew Johnson, marimba
Conducted by Brian Topp

Composed by Brian Topp. Text by Rupert Brooke.
Recorded live by Kall Binaural Audio, March 16, 2011 in Denton Hall, Wolfville NS.

"The Life Beyond" composed by Brian Topp

04 Barry Cockcroft  Kuku

Farewell to Nova Scotia (2013)
contemporary setting for SSAA women's choir 
by Lucas Oickle [ lucasoickle.com ]

*Winner of the inaugural Penthelia Singers Canadian Folk Song Arranging Contest 2014*

Premiered on June 4th 2014 at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Ontario
by the Penthelia Singers; Alice Malach, artistic director
[ penthelia.com ] 


--> this live recording is in a lossy format.

Farewell to Nova Scotia (2013)

Hendrawati mamaos, 
Endang Sukandar suling, 
Dede Suparman kacapi indung, 
Okta Herawan & Rijali Shidiq kacapi rincik

from Album Emas Lagu-Lagu Panambih Vol. 1 - go out and buy it!

extract from Lokatmala (lagu panambih)

"But when I recall two years ago now, it gives me chills to remember this moment where, despite teargas 
and mass arrests, there was this hope that we could at least have a more meaningful conversation"

- Anna Sheftel

This piece is the story of an idea. It is tentatively explored and gathers steam despite a violent 
opposition. After everything, the idea has not taken root, but still lives on in our minds.

Violin I: Grace Takeda
Violin II: Ayla Boz
Viola: Luca Casciato
Violoncello: Emma Grant-Zypchen

Written for the Orford Summer Academy Creation workshop, 2014

Carré Rouge

University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble's live performance of my work for wind ensemble + electronics. More information and score:http://www.stevenbryant.com/ecstaticwaters.php

Ecstatic Waters (CBDNA 2009)

Music by Cathy Kuo 
Text   by  Satoshi Yokoyama
Sasha Kaye- voice
Vivian Chen-  harp
Tian Ip-  GuZheng ( 古箏)
Benibana-sou  紅花想                         by Satoshi Yokoyama
紅い花を摘む幼子の          
A little child picking red flowers
 その名を問う無垢な瞳は   
Innocent eyes ask me the name of the flower
その名を問うばかりではなく  Not only asking it
私に生命を語らせる        But make me tell about life
  
幼子の手の温もりも         Warmth of a little child's hand
すべきかたなし花の命      Can do nothing for flower's life
すべきかたなきことならば    If it can do nothing
 ただ温もりを眼を閉じて    Just close my eyes for the warmth
  
両の手が空へ向こうなら           
 When my both of arms are reached towards the sky
わたしが伸ばすのか、九天が招くのか 
 Do I extend them, the sky invite them
紅い花籠を背負うなら             
 When I carry a flower basket on my back
 旅は始まるのか、終わりへ向こうのか  
Does a journey begin, go to the end
  
別れるも出会うも同意 
 It's a same meaning a meeting and a parting
心に問うて耳を澄ます   Ask and listen it to my heart
心に問うばかりではなく  Not only asking it
私は生命を語ろうか    Shall I tell about life
 
すべての生命を語るなら             
When I tell about life of all things
 わたしは近づくのか、野に放たれるのか 
 Am I approaching, released to a field
 
 両の手が空へ向こうなら           When my both of arms are reached towards the sky
 わたしが伸ばすのか、九天が招くのか 
Do I extend them, the sky invite them
紅い花籠を背負うなら             
When I carry a flower basket on my back
 旅は始まるのか、終わりへ向こうのか 
 Does a journey begin, go to the end

Benibana-sou ( 紅花想)  Part 1

Benibana-sou  紅花想                         by Satoshi Yokoyama
紅い花を摘む幼子の          
A little child picking red flowers
 その名を問う無垢な瞳は   
Innocent eyes ask me the name of the flower
その名を問うばかりではなく  Not only asking it
私に生命を語らせる        But make me tell about life
  
幼子の手の温もりも         Warmth of a little child's hand
すべきかたなし花の命      Can do nothing for flower's life
すべきかたなきことならば    If it can do nothing
 ただ温もりを眼を閉じて    Just close my eyes for the warmth
  
両の手が空へ向こうなら           
 When my both of arms are reached towards the sky
わたしが伸ばすのか、九天が招くのか 
 Do I extend them, the sky invite them
紅い花籠を背負うなら             
 When I carry a flower basket on my back
 旅は始まるのか、終わりへ向こうのか  
Does a journey begin, go to the end
  
別れるも出会うも同意 
 It's a same meaning a meeting and a parting
心に問うて耳を澄ます   Ask and listen it to my heart
心に問うばかりではなく  Not only asking it
私は生命を語ろうか    Shall I tell about life
 
すべての生命を語るなら             
When I tell about life of all things
 わたしは近づくのか、野に放たれるのか 
 Am I approaching, released to a field
 
 両の手が空へ向こうなら           When my both of arms are reached towards the sky
 わたしが伸ばすのか、九天が招くのか 
Do I extend them, the sky invite them
紅い花籠を背負うなら             
When I carry a flower basket on my back
 旅は始まるのか、終わりへ向こうのか 
 Does a journey begin, go to the end


Benibana - sou  紅花想  part 2 ( pls click the track for the texts of the song)

Songwriting cred to Jahsun Drms and Sebastien Wen.

Drums: Jahsun Drms
Vocals: Sebastien Wen
Vocal effects: Tanya Evanson

What's so beautiful about you?

Here's a little taster of some of the pieces we will be playing on Saturday, performed by Rachel Swindells (suling) and Simon Cook (kacapi).  The snippets are Sekar Manis - Arang-Arang - Mupu Kembang - Kingkilaban

KACAPI SULING taster

Violin Concerto

Nova Scotian composer currently based in Vancouver, BC, where he lives with his wife Chihiro, their two cats Taro & Ponzu, and at one time a banana tree named Nana-chan (R.I.P.)

For more information, please visit my website:

Farewell to Nova Scotia (2013)

Lucas Oickle

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