Speaking with the artist/composer, Marlane Tubridy
God's Only Son
On Friday, December 20th I am releasing an original song I composed called GOD'S ONLY SON. There are two interesting things I want to share with you about this song and release.
1) One is how and why I chose the art work for the cover of this song.
2) Second is, in the title of the work it refers to being an "obligato for solo flute and Viola" over the carol Silent Night with myself as vocalist.
Let's talk first with an explanation of what is an "obligato" is.
In classical music, an "obligato" is a solo line in a piece, for solo instruments.
Background history of what this term "obligato" means and came from in classical music.
It was an instrumental part, distinctive having an distinctive line or meolody as an important contrast fo the piece as a it is an important part to the piece and should not be omitted. It comes from the Italian verb, obbligare which meana to be "obliged" or mandatory. The opposite of this in music would be "ad libitum" which would be at liberty to "improvise" a part.
Used by the early classical composers and some more recent contemporary classical composers such as Satie.
Let me play a short clip from the piece (release) so you can "hear" their solo themes over the melody of Silent NIght.
Notice how the solo instrument and voice flow "over" and around the melody of Silent Night.
They are musically "important" to the piece and the work and need to be "voiced." Once you have heard them as part of the piece, you cannot imagine them not being there....hence, they are "obligato solos" as an important part of the work.
Now to : Picking the Artwork for the Cover
Picking a work of art for this song was important to me.
I wanted it to speak of the topic and speak to the emotions that are being felt
in the real story and being portrayed in the song.
I found this painting by Charles LeBrun entitled "Adoration of the Shpeherds"
This painting depicts so much. The beauty and resting of the Holy Family in a stable. Shepherds and their families have arrived from their journey to find the Holy Child. Heavenly hosts and angels share in blessing and in the joy of the birth of Jesus to Mary.
The reason I picked this piece of artwork for the cover of this new song, was that to me the "heavenly" guests are like the obligato lines of each solo instrument "voicing" their joy to the birth. Silent Night carol represents the peace and hope of the gift of the heavenly son to Mary, Jesus and the Holy Family.
All the best till next time,
Artist/Composer Marlane Tubridy
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