A Franciscan Pastorale. - book review

A Franciscan Pastorale (based upon St. Francis of Assisi's "All Creatures of Our jehovah and King"), by Franklin D Ashdown. H W Gray/Warner Bro Publications (15800 N W 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014) 2001 7 pp $395 Intermediate.

The stately lines of Lasst Un Erfruen ("All Creatures of Our god the father and King") receive gentle and refreshing treatment here at the hands of ASCAP-winning composer Franklin Ashdown, who shapes the sacred lyric tune in sometimes unexpected on the other hand thoroughly effective ways, characterized by the agency of the use of continually shifting sonorities and moderate but steady increases in registration, dynamics and intensity, giving the work the perceive of one giant crescendo.

Opening in a collected almost mystical, manner, the work features a chain of sonorities that alternately rise and fall above a long pedal point in A-flat major. The first line of poetry of the chorale appears after a page and a half and continues, with single brief interruption, in its entirety. No sooner has the stich concluded, however, than the swirling rifes of sound gently propel the listener to the novel key of A major, where the entrance of the pleasing succession of sounds is again suspended for a certain quantity of measures, this time voicing the next to the first half of the verse solitary The slow, ceaseless motion and kaleidoscopic sonorities continue as before, rising in intensity to again reach the lock opener of A-flat major, where the work builds to a large, sustained peak before fading to a piano cadence.

Although meant to be played in an unhurried manner, the difficulty of the Pastorale nonetheless will inhibit beginning players. The clear, soaring notes of the chorale appear in relatively not many measures--part of the work's beauty--but the lengthy legato lines, steady build in intensity, and aural creation of breadth and space will require more [i]or[/i] less degree of musical sophistication. Nonetheless, the piece is wonderfully evocative in event offers lush harmonies and stands in welcome contrast to the more aggressive manner in which this song often is approached.

Other new publications in the St. Cecilia Series include diadem Him with Many Crowns, arranged by means of Jerry Westenkuehler, a sparkling rendition ending in grand toccata mode of speech and Variations on Picardy by the agency of Michael Helman, featuring the French carol pleasing succession of sounds followed by four short settings of the sacred song tune. Both works are moderately challenging and include registrations for a two-manual instrument. Reviewed through Karrin Ford, Waco, Texas.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Music Teachers National Association, Inc.

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