The Quiet Cannon

Chorale and Harmonization

For orchestra

Also from some time ago

Also an older composition

Also quite old

From long ago

Text: Vulgate, excerpts from the Passion according to St. Luke Christus, der uns selig macht (Michael Weisse) O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (Paul Gerhardt) O Welt sieh hier dein Leben (Paul Gerhardt) "Durch dein Gefängnis, Gottes Sohn Ist uns die Freiheit kommen; Dein Kerker ist der Gnadenthron, Die Freistatt aller Frommen; Denn gingst du nicht die Knechtschaft ein, Müsst unsre Knechtschaft ewig sein." from Bach's St. John Passion

Christmas 2021 Lyrics from the Nicene creed: Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis. English translation: [He] was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us. Merry Christmas!

For piano

Variations on the Lutheran hymn

Short composition for harp & flute

For four hands and piano

The rest is silence

A short, amateurish composition for piano and violin

To make a scheming alchemist of man Hand him his image of putrid iron, And show him glimpses ‘f the golden lion Hidden in the base metal, which he can, With proper diligence, extract and find; Then leave him and observe the fervour With which he partners pride ‘n his endeavour, Observe the compulsion ‘f his fevered mind! Bent over the broth of a heathen druid, Skimming the froth and chis’ling the figure, Yearning for gold with limpness and vigour, Yearning for riches from his potent fluid! The riches, which the heart of man desires, Are not made in cauldrons, but in foreign fires.

As I mentioned in my introduction statement, I do not know enough about the artform of music for any present efforts at that endeavour to be taken seriously; nevertheless I have here uploaded an original composition, from the flaws of which I seek to improve, steadily, those plentiful deficiencies which here yet abound. Purely by coincidence, but a coincidence I have every intention of exploiting, the Latin word for "I learn" is disco, and the title therefore means "I learn music". I apologize to those expecting eleven minutes of 80's vibes, but I couldn't resist the pun.

Five furlongs luscious forest bade Some shade and place to rest, After the journey I had made, And make towards the crest, Those snow-begirded iron peaks Which loom o’er land and vale, Where sprout a myriad of creeks Which down the mountain sail, Where glaciers melt to cadet streams Which seep down steep ravines And sunlight in the snowdrift gleams And glitters in between Pale rocks of valour, standing there For eons keeping watch, Up high in free and blitheful air, Where eagles bring their catch. But now the forest first enshrouds With quietude and bliss The tired wanderer who is me, And bids him reminisce.

A short poem, inspired by Donne's Holy Sonnet XIV.