This piece was composed in the Fall of 2021. The title refers to a word described in Baldassare Castiglione's, The Book of the Courtier, written in 1528. It translates to, “studied carelessness”, and was used to describe how courtiers were expected to behave when attending court. Essentially, it is a kind of act in which a person makes themselves appear as though they are fully comfortable in any role they inhabit. It allows the courtier to hide their true intentions, thoughts, and emotions, and give off an aura of confidence.
Representing this idea in the music, there are two melodies in the work, both of which imply each other, but only one that is ever played and heard by the audience (representing the façade of Sprezzatura). The opening is slow, cool, reserved, and calculating; giving way to a more bombastic character. The interaction between introversion and extraversion builds to a revelation of the hidden melody.

The performer you are hearing is: 
Katie Smith - Bb Clarinet

Sprezzatura

for violin, cello, and piano.
Dualities (2013) is built around the idea of contrasts: the fast, lively primary theme and the slow, static secondary theme; the violin and cello playing against and with the piano; repeated musical ideas and changed/developed musical ideas.

Dualities for piano trio

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.

I love this song for its simple melody and beautiful words.
Please read the lyrics a few times; I can't add much!
"Why should I gain from his reward - I cannot give an answer!"

how deep the father's love for us - demo

A new melody for the old hymn "Jesus, Priceless Treasure." The original tune was written in the 1600s by J S Bach. It's great, but I think it was written to make drive home a different feeling for the words. With all the natural and unnatural disasters in the last few weeks, I thought it might touch deeper with a melody of perhaps a little more gentle reassurance. Recorded 10/2/17 in my living room. Unedited.

Jesus, priceless Treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure, 
Truest Friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish, 
Yearning, Lord, for thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide thee, 
Naught I ask beside thee.

In thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me 
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Ev'ry heart be quaking, 
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash And thunders crash;
Yet, tho' sin and hell assail me, 
Jesus will not fail me.

Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness, 
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather, 
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate'er I here must bear, 
Thou art still my purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!

Jesus, Priceless Treasure - New Melody

A quartet for clarinet, bassoon, flugelhorn, and cello.

Quartet For Mixed Instruments Mvt 2

This piece is made up of short musical sections which represent the juxtaposition between the ruminating mind and the mind of the Sufi poet Rumi - the contemplative no-mind.  

The ruminating mind is based on a theme that repeats in various disguises with the following tempo/performance marks: Obsessively, Frantically, Menacingly, and Arrogantly. The Rumi mind is represented by sections with unique themes which include these directions: Contemplatively, Peacefully, Lovingly, and Humbly. 

The final section is Humbly which is composed of slow, stepwise chords (to imply a downward gaze) and is unadorned (no slurs, very soft, and yet dignified). This is to resist the temptation of ending the piece brilliantly. We prefer the showy way of the world but the better way is the contemplative way.

Rumination Rumi Nation

I became active in late high school when I began to teaching myself how to play the electric guitar and went on to study music theory and composition in college.
My professional activities have focused on education, church music, and composition. I've taught students of all ages and interests in one-on-one music lessons (guitar, bass, piano, theory), classrooms and workshops, and online courses. My original compositions (choral, instrumental, electronic) have been performed throughout the United States in settings including art exhibition openings, theatre productions, worship services, music festivals, and concert halls.
Want to connect? E-mail me at rich.freese@gmail.com or find me on LinkedIn

Dualities for piano trio

Rich Freese

Related tracks