CFAMC LISTENING PAGE  #32: David Horace Davies

A monthly musical offering by a composer member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers. Both your listening and comments are encouraged.

JUNE 17, 2007

"A Minimally Conscious State" for violin, viola, cello & piano performed by the Other Music Ensemble of the University of Miami 2007 College Music Society-Southern Region Conference

PROGRAM NOTES

The idea for this quartet came during the tumultuous and tragic events that surrounded the life and death of Terri Schiavo. In the public discourse on consciousness and end-of-life issues that surrounded this event, my interest was piqued by the reference to a mental condition known as a “minimally conscious state.” As I understand it, a person in this state exists somewhere between sentience and unconsciousness, with periods or moments of clarity. I found this to be both fascinating and profoundly disturbing, and I felt compelled to somehow capture my thoughts on this matter in music, which resulted in this quartet.

The work is in three short movements, though the second and third movements can be played in such a way as to not have a break between them. The overall concept of the work can be stated as follows: a progression from near unconsciousness upward, breaking through into consciousness (as though one were emerging from under water), and then submersion back into unconsciousness. The principal motif of the work is a six-chord progression that occurs in various forms in each of the movements. A listener familiar with the work of the “holy minimalist” composers may recognize my attention of late to the music of Arvo Part. I felt a minimal musical texture was appropriate given the title and theme of the work.

STATEMENT OF FAITH BY THE COMPOSER

I am one who is blessed to have been born to believing parents and raised within the community of faith.  Though I cannot remember a time when I did not trust in Jesus' atoning work for my salvation, there have been many points throughout my walk with the Lord where He has called me to a fuller and deeper understanding of His work on my behalf, and for this I am forever grateful. My beliefs are probablybest represented by the confessions of the Reformed faith (Westminster Confession, Canons of Dordt, etc...), but I've included here some key points in my own words: I believe in the triune God, who provided the only way to redemption through coming to earth as a man and sacrificing Himself as payment for the sins of mankind. I believe that this salvation is imparted through the Holy Spirit and is work of the LORD's doing alone, so that no man may boast, and is wholly unmerited in all cases. I believe in the inerrancy of the Scriptures in their original form, and that God is guiding and directing history toward the fulfillment of the promises contained therein.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE COMPOSER

David Horace Davies received a DMA in Composition in 2007 from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where he studied composition with Dennis Kam, John Van der Slice and Robert Gower. Prior to his time at UM, he studied composition and conducting with Mark Hijleh at Houghon College's Greatbatch School of Music. His works have been performed in schools and conferences in New York, California, Florida, Iowa, and Puerto Rico and he has received commissions from churches in New York and Florida. Recently, his work "A Minimally Conscious State" was awarded Best Student Composition at the 2007 CMS Southern Region Conference. David also serves as organist at the Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church (PCA), where his duties also include conducting the Worship Choir and Village Choir. In addition to teaching Music Theory at the University of Miami, David has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Miami Dade College since 2002. Beginning August of 2007, David will be serving as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. David and his wife, Carrie, have two (exceptionally) beautiful children, Aston (2.5) and Emma (5 months).  

- - -  SOLI DEO GLORIA!  - - -

For comments, e-mail David directly at:  davidhdavies1@juno.com

Visit David's webpage at: http://www.composersforum.org/member_profile.cfm?oid=7547

If you are a member composer interested in submitting a
composition for an upcoming monthly CFAMC listening page,
please contact Bill Vollinger at: WilliamVollinger@aol.com

For further information, to become a member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers, to renew your membership, or to participate in the CFAMC e-mail discussion group, visit the CFAMC website at http://www.cfamc.org

For recent CFAMC Listening Pages, go to the following links:

May 2007: Adam Sovkoplas
"Sorrow"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1685

April 2007: Larry Warkentin
from "Eleven Little Love Songs"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1682

March 2007: James R. Geiger
"Out of the Depths"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1679

February 2007: Warner Hutchison
"Apocalypse"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1656