1st Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1b.

Title: Overture to Transcendence

4-7-2007

Note from Richard: After several weeks of pondering the task of overlaying David's wonderful instrumentation with voice, I have finally taken a stab at it. I am using the lyrics I wrote earlier. New words may be written as this progresses, but for now I am content to try out a half-spoken, half sung approach.

2nd Movement - soundtrack plus voices.

Title: Pour Heaven on Me

4-26-2007

From Richard: The lyrics that were originally written in a more formal style were slightly modified to plainspeak. The choral parts still need more work. The idea is to use St. Matthew's Church choir for a fuller range of voices, especially soprano and alto voices.

3rd Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1.

Working title:
Knock Upon Your Door

5-8-2007

Note by Richard: Lyrics written and recorded in one day.

4th Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1.

Working title:
Up From Death

10-18-2007

Note by Richard: Lyrics written and recorded over a period of six months.

5th Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1.

Working title:
The Joy of Grace

Note by Richard: I decided to abandon the track David originally scored for movement 5. I will move parts of the original 5th movement into the 6th movement (which will be a litany of thanks).

So where did the new music for the 5th movement come from? David sent a track to me a few months ago. He came up with it on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2007. He called it "The Joy of The Grace" and suggesed it might be added to the HFH song cycle. I wrote some of the words while watching my daughter play soccer in Rochester, MN. The rest of the words were noodled as I recorded my voices on my porch this week (using an Audiotechnica 3035 mic, Mbox interface, Macintosh G4/500, Logic Express 7.2).

6th Movement – partial demo

Working title:
The Gateway

4-21-2008

This movement is a litany of praise. It will have additional voices besides those of Richard.

7th Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1.

Working title:
Lifting

10-22-2007

8th Movement - soundtrack plus voices. Version 1.

Working title:
The Hard Road

10-26-2007

9th Movement - soundtrack plus voices (rough mix)

Working title:
I Am the Way

4-7-2008

10th Movement - soundtrack plus voices (rough mix)

Working title:
Realization

4-17-2007

Proposal from David, 1-6-2007. Hi again Richard: I have a proposal for you. I'm working now with my old forgotten skills of arrangement. The result is a few classic pieces with classic synth instruments. My target would be to create a Opus called "Hungry for Heaven", a kind of conceptual music work about the relationship betwen God and human beings (the silence of God, man facing death, the meaning of life... a lot of transcendental things) which would combine classic orchestral arrangements, progressive and symphonic rock, and some folk or acoustic. Of course I'll need beautiful lyrics (in English) and a powerful voice like yours. I know you're very busy (like me) but I'm interesting in making (step by step, "poco a poco" as we say in Spanish) a huge project that would combine diferent styles and a real professional production (at home, obviously). As well, I wish to express my beliefs and restlessness about God, Jesus Christ, and how religion determines our life. I know it's an abstract theme to make into music but I'd love to work together on a project like this. Are you interested? Here is example [1st Movement] which I've been working in. Tell me if you like it. Thanks a lot and have a nice weekend. Un saludo from Spain. David

Richard to David. From Richard, 1-6-2007. David: First Movement is absolutely divine yet rooted in terra firma. A dialog between man and heaven. I am very excited to be working on this with you. You have created an amazing soundscape. Incredible. As you send me these beginning pieces, let me know where you would like to have my singing. Will you be sending me specific ideas about the lyrics, or am I free to write whatever inspires? I will listen to the Third Movement now. Smiling, Richard Schletty

David to Richard, 1-7-2007. Hi again Richard and THANKS so much for your help. I send to you a new arrangement [3rd Movement] which I worked on this afternoon. I'd love if you'd take a few minutes to listen to it. It's just to give you a general idea about how it could sound. I hope you don't think I'm going too fast but I have to go back to work tomorrow and I don't know if I will have any time to work on music. Thanks again and have a nice week. Best greetings from Spain, David Gómez Sanz

Richard to David, 1-6-2007: I keep listening to movements 1 and 3. I really like what you have created. The soundscape is incredible. Very cinematic. I will start writing words now. Words about the human condition. Words about the man-god.

David to Richard, 1-8-2007. Thanks for your gentle words. My idea is there would be a "leit motif", a kind of melody or riff which would repeat in a few parts of the opus to give the idea that we are in front of a conceptual work, drawing on a similar theme. Anyway I give you the freedom to write the words you like. I have a general ideas about the lyrics:

– First of all, we are human beings and if we think about our existence on our planet, we have just arrived in comparison to others species, and God speaks to us in the person of His son Jesus. So what it it that makes us so different and special from the rest of creation of God? Is because our souls are enternal? What would be on the "other side" (I mean after death)? Those question could resume in a simple phrase such as, "What do you want of me, God"?
– Another interesting thing could be the eternal question which nonbelievers ask always about the silence of God... "If there be a God, how does He let evil things act in our world? How does He let good people suffer bad events?"

As you can see these are deep questions and it's difficult to express an answer in lyrics but I think your poem [Silent One] is a example of how to start to work. I'm thinking of the idea of a man who searches for God everywhere – he climbs mountains, walks the desert, sails the seas... yet he can't find God... but all the while God was close to him, in the people who surround him. You know what I mean? Well... this is quite serious!! As I said, I love your lyrics and I think you can create a good ambience to fit the music and lyrics. Once again GRACIAS!!! See you soon.

Richard to David, 1-8-2007: Yes, I understand what you mean by leitmotiv or leitmotif. "A guiding theme; In Wagnerian opera, a marked melodic phrase or short musical passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label." Two examples that comes to mind are Mussorgsky's Promenade theme in "Pictures at an Exhibition" and the recurring theme in the "Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy. It is very coincidental that Archbishop Harry Flynn had a similar message about the search for God in a sermon he gave yesterday at the Church of St. Francis de Sales, sister parish to St. James Church (just across the Mississippi River from where I live). Archbishop Harry said that people have looked for God in the great cathedrals of Europe, in the religious music and art of great masters, and in the great wonders of nature (like Mt. Everest and the Grand Canyon). But we forget that God can be found in the simple loving relationship of a mother and father caring for their child. The act of caring can be thought of as a sacrament. Yesterday was the Feast of the Epiphany so the family theme came through very strongly. They had wonderful, festive music. The reason I did not attend my own church was that I had lost my voice due to a chest cold and therefore could not sing with the St. Matthew's choir. My wife, Pat, and I wanted to go to another church for a change of scenery. We are glad we randomly picked St. Francis Church. The Archbishop was at that church for the installation of the new pastor, Fr. Juan Miguel Betancourt. The two parishes are united as one and a large number of Latino families have joined in recent years. If interested, see http://www.sf-sj.net. My own home parish is St. Matthew's. I am the webmaster for our parish and school web site -- http://www.st-matts.org. Richard Schletty
  

8th Movement – soundtrack only, remastered

David's instrumental soundbed for the 8th Movement has been remastered by Richard (using David's Logic Express project, sent from Spain to Minnesota via FTP). His piece has a fullness of intonation and emotion. Almost begs not to be overlaid with singing. What is a lyricist and singer to do?

8th Movement – remastered soundtrack plus voices

Working title:
The Dark Road

David to Richard on 4-29-2007: Here is the 9th Mov. I've been working in it all yesterday afternoon. It's a mixture of Broadway music hall, Grateful Dead idea, acoustic guitars, epic soundtracks, hammering pianos, U2 and Daniel Lanois inspiration... I like the result but as usual my mix is awful. In special, at 3:20 minute where all orchresta comes and it sounds too flat, too mechanical or artificial (I'd rather prefer more organic). I'll send the folder asap by Timbuktu. I don't know if all folder is complete 'cause I had to reorganizate my Apple folders (what a mess!). I hope you'll make such as good work as in 8th Movement. Good luck and infinite thanks once again. See you soon.

Richard to David: I like the 9th Movement, David. You have taken your creativity, lyricism, eclecticism and expression to a new height! I will enjoy working with this. The ostinato bass does get too repetitive in parts. My singing may help to reduce the repetitive feeling. I will try to bring out the higher parts more.

10th Movement – soundtrack only, mastered

Working title:
Who Is at the Center?

David to Richard on 5-13-2007: Hi Richard: Here is an example of what could be the last movement. I've fixed my Fender Stratocaster and I found interesting sounds. Some parts sound like it were out of tempo or meter but I think it has a few good ideas... what do you think about? I'll send all files as soon as possible and I hope you'd make a good work as usual. Thanks and see you soon.

Richard replied on 5-16-2007: ¡David! I think I have a nice mix of your soundtrack for 10th Movimiento. If there is something wrong with it, I will fix it. I look forward to adding words, although the soundtrack is beautiful all by itself!

The Joy of Grace – a soundtrack for possible inclusion in Hungry For Heaven

Letter from Ruth Ann to Richard on 4-18-2008:

Dear Richard,

I’ve waited to write because I wanted to listen more than once to your great music.  First, let me say, I believe you’re being inspired by God; the whole musical speaks of your relationship to Him.

Your seeking is gifted. God answers your sincerity in seeking Him by revealing his majesty, beauty and presence. Your work, then, in the musical, is to allow us watch as the exchange between you and the Holy Spirit (Whom Jesus said He was leaving behind to teach us all things) takes place.

Music with voice and instrument then becomes Revelation. Just as words reveal the meaning and action in a story, play, novel, poem . . . Your words, sung and spoken, together with David’s music, composed and played, together are lent, shared, given, to become God’s instrument or moving force, to do as He, alone, knows best.

Why? Certainly not to give the two of you something more to do! Rather: your work must become God’s conveyance–as if God is composing; God is singing; God is playing each instrument. And then, the song sung will sing to our hearts, minds and spirits.

Let me encourage you! Let me thank you! I know the tremendous work that has gone into your production. No one could ever calculate the hours–the very late and very early hours–that it has taken to create the lovely gift you’ve given to all of us. Again, thank you.

If I were not physically disabled right now, I would beg to let me produce your show.

While I finish my novel and get our Christian Healing books making the rounds of agents,  I want to be part of this, an encouraging sojourner, so to speak.

God bless, dear heart. We thank God for you and David; and for your openness and obedience to our magnificent and holy God.

Love and prayers,

Ruth Ann

Richard to Roxylee and Jack on 4-21-2008:

I feel compelled to open this up to other voices. If some of the movements do not have memorable passages that invite sing-along, then the project fails to do what David and I hope for -- to explore humans' attraction to the mysteries of creation and to supernatural manifestations in their lives. We want the songs to resonate at many levels.

I hope you will find it easy to "follow my act". Remember, I can snap loose singing into tight formation, so don't be too concerned about precision. Just let it flow from the heart. Like you did with Innercityhood.

If you'd rather wait until I have the entire roadmap for the song, let me know. But I think inviting other voices at this time actually will help me to develop the roadmap, the progression and the vocal textures. I want spontaneity and layering. I want joy to be evident.

I want you to work it two ways:

1) Follow my "bouncing ball" and re-create my lead passages and polyphonic harmonies. Do whatever parts you feel comfortable with.

2) Do some contrapuntal (weaving) experimentation. Let the Spirit move you. It can be echoing of key words, or background Amen's, ooh's or "my Lord"...whatever might seem to lift and complement the witnessing.

You both have David's raw soundtrack. Note that I have not done any splicing or altering of David's track. You should be able to selectively turn off/on or lower the volume of my guide track. Send me a dry track for each part you do. Note that for now we are just dealing with the first 1:47 of the 6th Movement. Once I mix this section, I will let you loose on the subsequent sections of the song. I may insert a section of David's original 5th Movement. I do not want to ignore some very nice things that are in that soundtrack. His original 5th and 6th Movements both evoke the feeling of repeating praise exhortations (litanies).

Roxy, I am so glad you said "worshipful" -- that is what we are after!

Yes, this will be awesome. Feel free to suggest additional voice talents if you think it will enrich our choral sound. Good choral singing has what is referred to as "spacing" (a term used in orchestration) -- i.e. there are distinct voice which span from low to high registers. In other words, I need a full SATB sound.