"Peace I Leave With You" was written on the evening of March 27th, 2014, dedicated to Hannah Metzler.

This piece was written in Hannah's memory, for her family, friends, and for anyone who desires a space for meditation, reflection, comfort, or peace. Performed by the 2013/2014 Fairport High School Polyphonic Mixed Choir of Fairport, NY, under the direction of Dr. Jim Jefferis.  ©2014

John 14:27 KJV

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

For inquiries regarding the use of this piece or the use of the score, please contact me directly via email, Facebook, or SoundCloud.

Peace I Leave With You - for SATB divisi (2014)

Official Recording of UP, by the Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Stephen Gage. 



Up - YSU Wind Ensemble Recording

Tenor Sax Concerto in Ab - Mvt 1 - Allegro

The famous and timeless holiday tune of Greensleeves takes on various modes and tonal centers, invoking different characters and moods as the string orchestra and harp sweep through an incessant 6/8 meter.

The harp opens the piece with a slightly different interpretation of the Greensleeves melody: different intervals and modes allow for a large palette of melodic variety. As the harp finishes, it begins a swirl of sixteenth notes, shared between both hands, that supports the iconic Greensleeves melody as presented in the solo violin (joined later by solo cello). Duplets in the violin 2 and viola give more emphasis to the harp's pressing accompaniment.

The first instance of the chorus is stated in the low strings with the melody in the viola, using its lowest tessitura to provide a harsh, rustic, and folk-like timbre. Violins join shortly thereafter to provide harmony until a flourish by the harp interrupts, leading into the next stanza.

Here, the harp once again has the melody and upbeat pizzicato strings lightly press forward. Solo viola and cello exchange accompaniment gestures, reflective of the harps initial sweeping lines, until the ensemble reaches a tutti climax.

The melody, now expressed in multiple different keys, is passed throughout the sections of the ensemble with varying dynamics and techniques with occasional solos. After a grand pause, the ensemble once again builds to an aforementioned climax, but with an unexpected meter, leading into a fugue-like section.

The cello opens the "fugue" in Ab minor for its first four bars, then modulates up a whole step to Bb minor for the final four bars of its melody. The violin 2, viola, and violin 1 follow suit, in that order, every two bars. However, the entrance of each section is written a perfect fourth above the melody it follows, unlike the typical fugue written in tonic and dominant keys. The juxtaposition of quartal harmonies and whole-tone modulations allow for pairs of instruments to reach a moment of complete unision for one bar. As each section finishes its statement of the melody, it sustains a chord tone until the first violins and the rest of the ensemble climax on a Db minor chord.

The harp takes over once again, this time in C# minor (as opposed to F# minor in the beginning), revisiting sweeping sixteenth notes alongside pizzicato duplets in the violin 2 and cello (2). The violas join with the Greensleeves melody shortly thereafter. Violin 1 and cello (1) join the ensemble with an entirely new melody that soars over the ensemble, eventually leading to cello (2) and basses settling in, filling out the ensemble. Following a deceptive cadence, a lyrical and free harp solo, perhaps mimicking a lute, plays the familiar tune once more leading back into the near beginning of the piece.

After familiar material is revisited, the melody is now dark and brooding with the melody in violin 1 and viola, and tremolo strings underneath. After an unexpected cadence, the melody flies into a completely major tonality with harps flourishes and lower strings exchanging arpeggiated figures.

As the section closes, the harp once again takes on the solo melody in a mysterious and somber tone, until the piece ends with arpeggios and upper string harmonics

Fantasy on an English Folk Song (Final)

Sax quartet, from the Phi Mu Alpha spring musicale. A nice little ditty.

Fantasy on an English Folk Song (Final)

Luke Duceman

Related tracks