Comments for Charles B. Griffin http://charlesgriffin.net blog, music, discography and other information about the American composer Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:31:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by admin http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-904 admin Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:59:42 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-904 The piece is coming along well, I think. I thought I'd post the first 8 pages so you can give it a look <a href="http://charlesgriffin.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/lux.pdf" target="blank" rel="nofollow">here.</a> The piece is coming along well, I think. I thought I’d post the first 8 pages so you can give it a look here.

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by admin http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-837 admin Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:42:49 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-837 Here is a portion of the Znammeny Chant I'm using. It goes on with an Alleluia that I might or might not use. <img src='http://charlesgriffin.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/znammeny.png' alt='znammeny.png' /> Here is a portion of the Znammeny Chant I’m using. It goes on with an Alleluia that I might or might not use.
znammeny.png

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by Jen http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-823 Jen Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:57:32 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-823 That sounds great! I was a little worried about what it would be like to insert your piece in the middle of our Vespers concert, but it sounds like there is going to be a lot of thematic and generic overlap. That sounds great! I was a little worried about what it would be like to insert your piece in the middle of our Vespers concert, but it sounds like there is going to be a lot of thematic and generic overlap.

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by Gwen http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-819 Gwen Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:47:31 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-819 The Lux aeterna text should make for an interesting tie-in to the Vespers service of daily offices spanning dusk to dawn! The Lux aeterna text should make for an interesting tie-in to the Vespers service of daily offices spanning dusk to dawn!

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by admin http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-771 admin Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:28:23 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-771 Hi Tom, Thanks for your comment. Here's where I am now: I have had difficulty finding a score of the Vespers, much less been able to find the specific chants that Rachmaninoff used. I'd very much like to find them, if only to study a little what his process was of getting from the chants to the finished work. Anyway, I have found several collections of Znammeny Chants, and found a Communion Chant I like. The one I found had an English translation that seemed, well, too clunky or trite for my taste. I decided to use the chant with the Latin text Lux Aeterna. I've begun writing the piece now. Perhaps I will post the source chant soon. Stay tuned. Hi Tom,
Thanks for your comment. Here’s where I am now: I have had difficulty finding a score of the Vespers, much less been able to find the specific chants that Rachmaninoff used. I’d very much like to find them, if only to study a little what his process was of getting from the chants to the finished work. Anyway, I have found several collections of Znammeny Chants, and found a Communion Chant I like. The one I found had an English translation that seemed, well, too clunky or trite for my taste. I decided to use the chant with the Latin text Lux Aeterna. I’ve begun writing the piece now. Perhaps I will post the source chant soon. Stay tuned.

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by Tom Blanchard http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-727 Tom Blanchard Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:26:55 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-727 I am glad that you are considering referring to Rachmaninoff and perhaps the chants that he sourced for the Vespers. I have always been intrigued by interpretations of similar works by different composers. Because of the placement of your composition in the program, I think it would draw the entire performance together to use various motifs from the original composition. The Vespers do come across as an expression of his Russianism and I think it would be amazing to create a piece, with lyrics in English, about what it means to you to be an American. This would also tie the performance together but in an entirely different way. Although, I certainly would be intrigued to perform a piece in another language that felt equal to the Vespers in its spirituality. I can't decide what strikes me more when I listen to the Vespers- the Russianism or the spirituality. I am glad that you are considering referring to Rachmaninoff and perhaps the chants that he sourced for the Vespers. I have always been intrigued by interpretations of similar works by different composers. Because of the placement of your composition in the program, I think it would draw the entire performance together to use various motifs from the original composition. The Vespers do come across as an expression of his Russianism and I think it would be amazing to create a piece, with lyrics in English, about what it means to you to be an American. This would also tie the performance together but in an entirely different way.

Although, I certainly would be intrigued to perform a piece in another language that felt equal to the Vespers in its spirituality. I can’t decide what strikes me more when I listen to the Vespers- the Russianism or the spirituality.

]]> Comment on Manhattan Choral Ensemble discussion forum by admin http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-471 admin Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:20:25 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/manhattan-choral-ensemble-discussion-forum#comment-471 I'm back from my trip to New York and thinking more about this. Tom -- do you have any idea how I might locate the chant sources that Rachmaninoff used? I’m back from my trip to New York and thinking more about this. Tom — do you have any idea how I might locate the chant sources that Rachmaninoff used?

]]> Comment on Kusanganisa (Flute and Marimba 4-hands) by Yale Snyder http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-38 Yale Snyder Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:42:40 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-38 I had the privilege of playing Kusanganisa a couple of times during graduate school and it was an absolute pleasure to learn and peform. The marimba/flute combination has always been a favorite of mine and getting the opportunity to not only work with a talented flute player but also with one of my percussion colleagues at the same time was an extra treat. There are many pieces for flute/marimba and for flute/percussion but there are very few pieces for two percussion and flute which makes Kusanganisa even more special. The piece is beautifully written and presents musical and timing challenges between the two percussionists alone as well as between the percussionists and the flute. The piece also presents unique technical challenges for the flute. Kusanganisa is very well received by both the educated as well as the uneducated musical audiences. It would be a welcome addition to any graduate or professional percussion or flute recital. I hope to have many more opportunities to perform this piece. Bravo Charles! I had the privilege of playing Kusanganisa a couple of times during graduate school and it was an absolute pleasure to learn and peform. The marimba/flute combination has always been a favorite of mine and getting the opportunity to not only work with a talented flute player but also with one of my percussion colleagues at the same time was an extra treat. There are many pieces for flute/marimba and for flute/percussion but there are very few pieces for two percussion and flute which makes Kusanganisa even more special. The piece is beautifully written and presents musical and timing challenges between the two percussionists alone as well as between the percussionists and the flute. The piece also presents unique technical challenges for the flute. Kusanganisa is very well received by both the educated as well as the uneducated musical audiences. It would be a welcome addition to any graduate or professional percussion or flute recital. I hope to have many more opportunities to perform this piece. Bravo Charles!

]]> Comment on Kusanganisa (Flute and Marimba 4-hands) by Ingrid Gordon http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-37 Ingrid Gordon Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:37:49 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-37 First and foremost, Charlie is a terrific composer. His piece Kusanganisa is a treat not only for audiences, but performers as well: beautiful, challenging, and drawing on a wide range of influences. And as someone who commissions a large number of works every year, I can also say that Charlie is an absolute pleasure to work with. First and foremost, Charlie is a terrific composer. His piece Kusanganisa is a treat not only for audiences, but performers as well: beautiful, challenging, and drawing on a wide range of influences. And as someone who commissions a large number of works every year, I can also say that Charlie is an absolute pleasure to work with.

]]> Comment on Kusanganisa (Flute and Marimba 4-hands) by cesare papetti http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-29 cesare papetti Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:13:53 +0000 http://charlesgriffin.net/archives/120#comment-29 I was one of the lucky percussionists to work with Charles as he was first reworking the piece for two percussionists and flute. The piece's mixture of cultures is very clear in the marimba's imitation of an mbira as well as the extended techniques utilized by the flute. The piece is a great deal of fun to perform and its playful character is a welcome addition to many concerts. Kusanganisa is always well received at our performances. I was one of the lucky percussionists to work with Charles as he was first reworking the piece for two percussionists and flute. The piece’s mixture of cultures is very clear in the marimba’s imitation of an mbira as well as the extended techniques utilized by the flute. The piece is a great deal of fun to perform and its playful character is a welcome addition to many concerts. Kusanganisa is always well received at our performances.

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