This flowing piece with interesting key changes and chords (but not TOO interesting) is by Francisco Carbonell and won second place in an emerging composers competition. Hailing from Valencia, Spain, Carbonell is music director and organist at St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied in Rome at the Pontifical Academy of Sacred Music, as well as at the university in Valencia. You can find more of his music on YouTube, but I wanted to make sure you were introduced to him here.
Enjoy - and why not “like” him on Facebook? Or send him a note somehow letting him know you enjoy his work?
Here's a nice seasonal (OK, a little early) work by a Northern Irish composer. Sean Doherty (born 1987) is also a member of the New Dublin Voices. He has won numerous prizes and is getting a good amount of performance. Interesting note: his Ph.D. dissertation was "Solfaing: A History of Four-Syllable Solmization to the Present Day." I'm sure this would be a treat to read for all the shape-note singers out there with a scholarly bent.
One of the first countries to become Christian, Armenia is a mystery to most of us. This recording done by John Graham at Geghard Monastery is more than beautiful. It is a connection to a different place and time. Graham is a historical musicologist resident in Georgia (the country, not the state) who coordinates tours in this region. His website at John Graham Tours is rich with photos and commentary - and of course, massive amounts of music, both sacred and folk. I stumbled across his site several years ago. And now I'm saving my shekels, pennies, euros, pesos, etc. for a tour. In the meantime, take a look at these amazing countries and people. There is so much beauty in this world when we take our eyes off the sidewalk in front of us, isn't there?
Yes! I hope we see him again at another Colloquium...
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