[Magdalen] Magdalen] RIP Brittany Maynard

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

It is not so easy to understand the words. I hope I can shed some light.

I found this very nicely done article on the piece.  The composer, John
Tavener (a descendant of the famous composer John Taverner), had been to a
funeral of a young vibrant Orthodox woman, and had the song in his head
already, but asked for help with the words. The story is really quite
sweet, and is this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_for_Athene

The fine group called the Sixteen has made a good recording of Song, and
the notation is in the illustration. This not only gives you the words, but
Tavener's wonderful way of subtly changing the textures as the Song builds
to its climax ("COME! and enjoy the rewards and crowns which I have
prepared for you!").
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrnW18872lI

I was wondering, of course, about the young woman who inspired Tavener, and
this clip includes some rare photos of her, courtesy of the family:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyeC9xC08dg

This is one of those pieces that elicit great emotion from the singers
themselves. I had to hold on to that low F through the entire piece, and
it's difficult to just keep going, but especially so when your throat wants
to choke up.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better
for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting your time
on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente

On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 7:56 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:

> It's stunning, but I couldn't make out the words at all, except for the
> Alleluias.
>
> On November 4, 2014, at 3:19AM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford wrote:
>
> I think of this piece sometimes. It was written after attending the funeral
> of a young woman. It's one of those pieces that is hard to sing well,
> because one tends to choke up.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ma_Ouv74_8
>
> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
> *“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better
> for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting your time
> on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente
>
> On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 2:39 AM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Just read that Ms Maynard did choose to end her life on Nov. the first,
> as
> > she had planned.
> > Her symptoms were getting worse to the point where she feared if she
> > waited much longer, she might not have the ability to express her wishes
> > clearly.
> >
> >
> http://www.people.com/article/brittany-maynard-died-terminal-brain-cancer
> >
> > Such a vibrant, beautiful soul.
> >
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPca88LPARI
> >
> > James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
> > *“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things
> > better for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting
> > your time on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente
> >
>