I Won't Be Afraid

Benedictus for Strings

Duet for Guitar and Violin, Mvt II. - Labyrinthine

This piece is a custom-built Max/MSP application to control the acoustic Utopa and Sauer organs in the Orgelpark, Amsterdam, NL (https://www.orgelpark.nl/en/Instrumenten/Our-Instruments). Performed live by Isaac Barzso, November 26, 2022.

and then nothing turned itself inside-out (live) // Orgelpark Hyperorgan

Soprano- Molly Melahn
Piano- Benjamin Carter

There is perhaps no poet in 20th-century American society with a greater legacy than Robert Frost, and rightfully so. Frost's poetry deals with a plethora of life experiences and emotional issues, but a common unifying theme is inspiration from the beauty of his home in rural New England. Looking at the text of Stars, it is easy to picture Frost gazing out into the night sky from his study, pondering the ubiquitous presence of stars in contrast with mankind's own fleeting mortality. As with all of Frost's work, there are churning depths of thought and emotion beneath the surface-level imagery of a winter night, and it is my sincerest desire that this setting reflects those depths. Frost was one of my first great loves in the American poetry canon, and I am looking forward to a new reckoning with his work by 21st-century composers as more and more of his writing enters the public domain.

Stars

in honor of Ms. Jeanette Lerman Neubauer's birthday 
premiered April 20, 2016 at the Curtis Institute of Music
jean-michel richer, tenor
gloria ferry-brennan, violin
chen cao, cello

CONUNDRUM
A woman seeks the highest truth.
A light shines, seducing.
Light.  Shining light.
Where is revelation?  
Pure truth.  Pure light.
Come close to see.
The highest truth is without image.
But without image, how can the truth be known?
The light blinds.  The woman fails.
She turns to words for solace.
Words seduce.  
The highest principle is without words.
But if there are no words, how can the principle be known?

Lyrics by Jeanette Lerman

Based on a Zen koan allegedly found on a Buddhist sculpture, quoted in English, and discovered by the author on the Internet.


Conundrum -- tenor + vln + vcl + loop pedal

String Quartet no. 1 - "Vespers" III. Jubilations

KANYE IN MY HEAD

Quarter Past Four (by Avriel and the Sequoias)- Cover

Reverie is a lyrical, contemplative piano solo with a beautiful melody and interesting, chromatic harmonies.

This is a perfect piece to introduce intermediate students to the key of G-flat major because it’s carefully crafted for ease of playing, with the deliberate goal to ensure the player’s success. The hands remain rooted to the G-flat major pentascale position throughout much of the piece. Movements outside the position are minimal and mostly step-wise, making the piece very accessible.

The piece comes with a Getting Started Guide that will help players navigate and practice the piece efficiently.

This is a digital download that comes with a studio license, allowing for unlimited use with students you personally teach.

https://daniel-light.com/product/reverie/

Reverie, by Daniel Light

Composer, Conductor, Pianist, Vocalist, UofL BM ‘23, UofL MM ‘25

Stars

Benjamin Carter

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