In an earlier post, I mentioned my trip to the University of
South Carolina where I spent time in the music library looking through scores.
I brought copies of several scores back with me and have begun making a choral
arrangement of a piece entitled “Contemplation” by Heinrich Lichner. This etude
for piano has a copyright date of 1913, which places it in the public domain
and can therefore be adapted, arranged, edited, etc. When one takes preexisting material and
manipulates/modifies/changes it to make a new arrangement or setting it is
called “music borrowing” and was commonly practiced by great masters of music throughout the ages.
Even at first glance, I envisioned ways in which I could
make a choral arrangement of this work. I began with the opening homophonic
(chordal) passage from which I wanted to draw out the melody. I “found” the melody, not in the top line,
but primarily in an inner voice with an occasional “sweep” to the top line.
Once I identified a theme (main melody) I could begin the process of setting it
against an accompaniment.
For the opening accompaniment, I wanted to use broken chords
to contrast against the linear pull of the unison voices. I also set the opening passage in triple
meter instead of the original quadruple. It is tempting to continue an in-depth
analysis of my work on the opening, but I will refrain and move onto the next
section of the piece.
Following the homophonic opening of the original work, one discovers a long, soloistic passage played in the right hand with chords in the left. I went “around and around” with this passage – there were more than a few directions I could have gone. But in the end, I wanted to retain the original soloistic line as accompaniment and in contrast to the vocal lines. I set this long, linear line (with its running eighth notes) against the choir in two parts (SA/TB). I also wanted the harmonic rhythm to pick up a bit and accomplished this by going back to the original quadruple meter.
While I was pleased with the arrangement, a crucial decision was yet to be made. What text would I underlay to this music? I couldn’t seem to settle on a text I felt was appropriate for the work (and frankly one that “spoke” to me). I knew I wanted a text which stood the test of time as in the Magnificat, Te Deum, texts from the ordinary or proper of the Mass, etc. I was looking to underlay a Latin text that would set a reflective mood. It also needed to work metrically with the music; the natural accents of the words must fall on accented beats in the music without “forcing” it, so to speak. And then I came across “Panis Angelicus” a text I was very familiar with and to which I was naturally drawn. Composers have set this text to music countless times through the centuries and I have sung Cesar Franck’s setting of this text many times. Metrically it fell into place with only a few note value adjustments. Those who know me well are aware of my love for not only music, but also for the “marriage” of music to an inspiring, moving text.
I am gratified with this portion of the composition, though
there may be some minor changes as I have my choirs sing through the work. Thus far, I have completed the “A” section of
this arrangement. One can view the entire work to be in A-B-A or ternary form
(although one could also subdivide these sections further and come away with a
different analysis). Regardless, the portion
I have completed is the “A” section of this overarching ternary form. The “B”
section, with a return to the opening material (with modifications), is
forthcoming.
I have entitled the
work “Contemplation: Panis Angelicus” and have provided a link to view and
listen to the score. Keep in mind the
sound generated is computerized piano, so the vocal/choral line will sound a
bit “vacant” without the sustaining power, timbre, and color of the voices.
Naturally, I feel a
bit "exposed" in opening it up for public view. At the same time and in the same breath, I am
eager to make it available for viewing/listening. To view and listen to the score,
click on the link below. You will be directed to “Contemplation:
Panis Angelicus” at noteflight.com. You may scroll down to view the score. To listen to the computer generated recording, go to the drop down menu above the manuscript – click on “play” and then “play from
start”.
http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/a54f2abca8d09bf7eaeeb5d32ad176d5171e9540
Blessings,
Virginia Gay
Virginia Gay