Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: SATB, organ Text: Psalm 65 Language: English Duration: 7 min. Premiere: Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Chamber Singers, Jeffrey Brillhart, music director and organist, October 23, 2005 Commissioned by: The American Guild of Organists Published by: Self-published, Angelfire Press
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
“Learning and performing The River of God was an immense pleasure. For once, a new piece that was challenging… but, where the challenges were satisfying, not frustrating. The work itself has a tremendous sense of direction with a glorious climax. I fell in love with Clearfield’s work, thanks to The River of God.”
–Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Music Director of Singing City Choir.
PROGRAM NOTES
The River of God was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles, California, July 2004. The work, set to a portion of Psalm 65, celebrates nature and the nourishing waters of the earth as well as the personal river of God that flows inside each of us. Bold fanfares and energetic syncopated polyrhythms alternate with flowing water-like cascading passages in the chors and the organ. The world premiere took place on October 23, 2005 at the dedication ceremony for the new organ at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Brillhart, Organist and Music Director. The west coast premiere took place on January 22, 2006 with the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Hall, Los Angeles, Ken Cowan, Organist, Grant Gershon, Music Director.
LISTEN (excerpts)
TEXT
From Psalm 65
You are to be praised, O God of Zion
You visit the earth and water it.
The river of God is full of water.
You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges. You water the earth. You soften the earth with showers and bless its growth.
The river of God is full of water.
You crown the year with your goodness and Your paths overflow with plenty.
You are to be praised, O God.
May the wilderness be rich, may the hills rejoice, may the meadows be clothed with flocks, and the valleys be cloaked with grain. Let them shout for joy and sing!
The river of God is full of water.
The River of God
Scored for: SATB, organ
Text: Psalm 65
Language: English
Duration: 7 min.
Premiere: Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Chamber Singers, Jeffrey Brillhart, music director and organist, October 23, 2005
Commissioned by: The American Guild of Organists
Published by: Self-published, Angelfire Press
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
See preview score pages: THE RIVER OF GOD CHORAL SCORE EXCERPT (PDF)
QUOTE
“Learning and performing The River of God was an immense pleasure. For once, a new piece that was challenging… but, where the challenges were satisfying, not frustrating. The work itself has a tremendous sense of direction with a glorious climax. I fell in love with Clearfield’s work, thanks to The River of God.”
–Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Music Director of Singing City Choir.
PROGRAM NOTES
The River of God was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention in Los Angeles, California, July 2004. The work, set to a portion of Psalm 65, celebrates nature and the nourishing waters of the earth as well as the personal river of God that flows inside each of us. Bold fanfares and energetic syncopated polyrhythms alternate with flowing water-like cascading passages in the chors and the organ. The world premiere took place on October 23, 2005 at the dedication ceremony for the new organ at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Brillhart, Organist and Music Director. The west coast premiere took place on January 22, 2006 with the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Hall, Los Angeles, Ken Cowan, Organist, Grant Gershon, Music Director.
LISTEN (excerpts)
TEXT
From Psalm 65
You are to be praised, O God of Zion
You visit the earth and water it.
The river of God is full of water.
You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges. You water the earth. You soften the earth with showers and bless its growth.
The river of God is full of water.
You crown the year with your goodness and Your paths overflow with plenty.
You are to be praised, O God.
May the wilderness be rich, may the hills rejoice, may the meadows be clothed with flocks, and the valleys be cloaked with grain. Let them shout for joy and sing!
The river of God is full of water.