Originally, my Gloria Caribana started off with the title "Gloria Brevis" but then I felt that as I was composing the piece was following a kind of Caribbean History in my mind. The other thing is that the chorus for which it was originally meant is based in Toronto, Canada. Every year in the Caribbean community in Toronto hold the "Caribana" festival much like the Traditional Carnival held in Trinidad, Brazil and other parts of the Caribbean. So, to me it only made sense to change the title of the work to follow the "story" that was playing out in my mind.
The work is in seven short movements. It is scored for: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, Timpani and a grand variety of Caribbean percussion that alternated between movements depending on their significance as well as Dramatic-Coloratura Soprano solo, SATB chorus and narrator.
I also used this piece as a way to get myself thinking about Caribbean flavored operas and a "Caribbean Missa" (title will change) that I've been thinking about. Because of the "brevis" aspect of the work this piece no doubt lacks the "grand development" that could have been.
For more detailed info on this work you can check out my YC journal.
http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/...hts-11606.html
The percussion used is that of various Caribbean islands including Brazil. Unfortunately, I had to double up on some of the sounds so you really won't get the sense of timbre from the individual percussion or groupings used in the render
.
I also managed to work out many of the issues with balance and textures in the mp3s.
So here it is. I've also included pdf samples of the choral score only for select movements.
(If the moderators find this work suitable for Major works you may move it there).
1) Narrator: In the distance, the drums of the Caribbean and Africa sing
as brave explorers take to the high seas. With high hopes, a “new world” is found and sinister acts are born. “ Gloria in excelsis Deo ”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana I (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
2) Narrator: Amerindians are enslaved and are decimated while their
African cousins make a perilous journey across the Atlantic to share in the same fate.
The Africans bring the rhythm and soul of Africa to meet the rhythm and soul of the Caribbean.
A rhythmic cry of “peace and goodwill toward all men” . “ Et in terra pax ”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana II (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
3) Narrator: The rhythms and drumming techniques of Africa and the Caribbean hold hands in marriage giving birth to a new identity. A young maiden leads a praise amidst the tribulation of a people.
“ Laudamus te ”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana III (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
4) Narrator (during timpani roll): The beauty of diversity gives birth to new and beautiful peoples and cultures of the Caribbean. From the Mestizos and Creaoles, to the African - Indians , the intermarrying of Irish slaves and servants with Caribbeans, and the beloved Garifuna people who taught the Caribbean how to dance the Punta. A song and dance expressing thankfulness of life. “ Gratias agimus tibi ”
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana IV (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
5) Narrator: In a foreign state of mind, Caribbean slaves face atrocities that provoke a mournful cry unto God. In a foreign language, a song of mercy is heard. “ Domine Deus ”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana V (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
6) Narrator: A musical marriage of European, African and Amerindian culture begins to give the music of the Caribbean a new and distinctive sound helping to give birth to forms such as Merengue, Calypso, and Samba. “Quoniam tu solus”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana VI (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music
7) Narrator: With further importation of peoples from the east, an even newer and more diverse culture begins to emerge. A unique Caribbean experience is expressed in music, food, language and in Carnival. “Cum Sancto Spiritu”.
SoundClick song info: Gloria Caribana VII (Orchestrated) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music