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Psalm for Rothko Chapel

Digital Sheet Music [PDF]: Score

Psalm for Rothko Chapel : for any voice and piano, Vocal range: C3-D4 (or E4) [eScore] / Ronan Apcar.

by Ronan Apcar (2022)

$18.18

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Product details

Psalm for Rothko Chapel (after Psalm 13) is a short art song for voice and piano about inviting those processing and dealing with grief "to be encouraged by love."

In December 2022, I played at the Wesley Uniting Church's 'Blue Christmas' service in Forrest, ACT, which was offered as a chance to offer comfort to those dealing with the loss of loved ones around the time of Christmas. I was really moved by Rev Karyn Burchell-Thomas' text which she wrote for the service. Titled We Gather, it was inspired by Psalm 13. After the service, I told her that I really connected with those words and wanted to set it to music.

I found Rev Burchell-Thomas' text so interesting because there was an absence of prescribed religion - I felt like there was a universality in these words. I also had recently discovered the non-denominational Rothko Chapel via Morton Feldman's composition Rothko Chapel. I loved this concept and so I wanted to write this song which I felt was a non-denominational psalm, perfect for the Rothko Chapel.

This song is really the result of a period of pure inspiration - most of it was written in a couple days, and I took the material from an improvisation I did in the Blue Christmas service, responding to the atmosphere and texts of the service. Though it still has nuance and delicate writing, I wanted to try and keep this song simple and not think too much about it. Hopefully, you will find a similar beauty and power that I found in this song.

Published by: Australian Music Centre — 1 digital (PDF) facsimile score (7p. -- A4 (portrait))

Difficulty: Medium

Duration: 4 mins

Dedication note: In memory of Aubrey Chayson.

Includes program and performance notes.

Typeset edition.

Analysis & Media

- Video: Psalm for Rothko Chapel


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