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Display all products featuring this work (2 more) 
Work Overview
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.
Work Details
Year: 2022
Instrumentation: Any voice, piano.
Duration: 4 min.
Difficulty: Medium
Dedication note: In memory of Aubrey Chayson.
Videos
Psalm for Rothko Chapel |
Performances of this work
30 Aug 23: Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent. Featuring Ronan Apcar, Lily Ward.
21 Jul 23: 21 Jul 2023, Drill Hall Gallery AJ America - voice Ronan Apcar - piano. Featuring AJ America, Ronan Apcar.
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