Saturday, December 21, 2013

Today I present my original composition, CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA.  I completed this piece in 1999 and scored it for chorus, organ, bells, and string orchestra.  Below is a screenshot of the vocal part from the autograph score:


Imagine being in a great cathedral; a choir of hundreds surrounds.  Before you, a vast string ensemble plays a pulsing ostinato while, halfway through the performance, you suddenly hear the thundering sound of a pipe organ.  Counter to the voices, you hear high above you the cathedral’s bells ring out in grand exaltation!  CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA should be played at a high volume, for in reality this would be LOUD.

You, dear listeners, may provide your own text to the music.  Think the words that best reflect your hopes and dreams for yourselves, those you love, and the world at large.  May your wishes come true, may you be productive, and may you enjoy good health and good fortune in the precious time you have before you.  Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA, Copyright©1999 DamonMusic by Sean Damon Rohde.  All rights reserved

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Today I present my original composition, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.  I completed this song in 2002 and scored it for voice and piano.  Below is a screenshot of the title page from the autograph score:


For a short time, I worked at a K-3 school.  While there, I composed several pieces inspired by children--their light minds and happy hearts, unburdened by the weighty concerns of accumulated years.

This is my setting of a poem my father wrote at the age of thirteen.  In this render of our song, I use an oboe in place of the voice.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS, Copyright©2002 DamonMusic by Sean Damon Rohde.  All rights reserved

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Today I present my original composition, EVERGREEN.  I completed this song in 1992 and scored it for voice and piano.  Below is a screenshot of the title page from the autograph score:



Another of my Christmas carols, I wrote this song for a neighbor’s Christmas party.  He, a pianist, and a singer friend of his had performed one of my songs shortly before, so I composed this to my father’s words for them.  It was designed to be light, festive, spirit lifting, and seasonal.  Although written for voice and piano, the vocal line is represented by concert flute.

EVERGREEN, Copyright©1992 DamonMusic by Sean Damon Rohde.  All rights reserved