American Gothic by Joey Brink, Dordrecht, NL

Here's an original composition from my concert in Dordrecht, NL this summer.

The composition, American Gothic (2019) is a seven-movement work commissioned by Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church in Michigan to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their carillon and 30 years of service by resident carillonneur Dennis Curry. Hints of the folk song Simple Gifts are weaved into each movement, at times more recognizable than others. The melody is heard in its entirety only once, at the end of the first movement.

I'm only playing four of the movements this time:
0:00 1) Wings of the Morning
3:47 2) Call of the Chanticleer
6:15 6) Beauty for Ashes
9:38 7) Tower of the Apostles

A bit on these four movements:
Wings of the Morning is peaceful, colorful like the sunrise, and elegantly flows from one idea to the next.

Call of the Chanticleer is derived from birdsong, with its trills and harmonious melodies. After announcing the sunrise, the chanticleer takes flight, dancing playfully, before returning majestically to its perch atop the tower.

Beauty for Ashes are the words spoken by Dr. DeWindt in his sermon after a 1957 fire caused extensive damage to the Kirk. The movement begins melancholically and as the intensity builds, the fire spreads and three stained glass windows are shattered. The music grieves and yearns, but like Dr. DeWindt’s message, offers beauty in the place of ashes as the congregation begins to rebuild.

Tower of the Apostles is a fast, driving, and rhythmically unrelenting final movement to the suite. The celebratory sound of swinging bells gives inspiration for the precise but ever-changing rhythms. The music pauses momentarily to meditate, reflecting on the gothic grandeur of the bell tower. The harmony was once static, but now drifts freely. The meditation is interrupted repeatedly by the need to celebrate. Finally the music gives in, and the piece returns to a driving rush to the joyous swinging of the bells.

Sheet music available here:
https://americancarillonmusiceditions...