The recording of "Narrow Sea" was supported by New Music USA, with funding from various organizations including the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Caroline Shaw combines her explorations of folk song and hymnody with a unique sonic universe that includes ceramic bowls, humming, and flower pots.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The texts used in "Narrow Sea" all refer to water, such as the river Jordan or a narrow sea, and express a sense of joy in looking to heaven.
Compositional Technique
Each movement of "Narrow Sea" is a new melodic setting of a text from The Sacred Harp, a collection of shape-note hymns first published in the 19th century.
Interpretation
In "Narrow Sea," Gilbert Kalish's piano provides a grounding force or familiar memory amidst the varied textures introduced by Sō Percussion.
Instruments
Sō Percussion uses instruments and accessories from various brands, including Pearl/Adams, Vic Firth, Zildjian, Blackswamp, Remo, Estey Organs, Kyle Dunleavy Steel Pans, and MalletMan.
Composition History
Caroline Shaw's "Narrow Sea" was commissioned in 2017 by Music Accord, a consortium of classical music presenting organizations, for Dawn Upshaw, Gilbert Kalish, and Sō Percussion.
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