[Magdalen] Magdalen] Magdalen] RIP Brittany Maynard

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

And there were only two of us. Yikes!

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 Wed, Nov 5, 2014 at 8:54 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks, Jim!
>
> I was wondering about that low F!  What an exercise in staggered breathing!
>
> On November 4, 2014, at 11:51PM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford wrote:
>
> 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
> > >
> >
>