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What's your favorite "Prayer" Type piece

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Home Forums Repertoire What's your favorite "Prayer" Type piece

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  • #189480

    Hi!

    I’m playing a concert at a church in January and I’m looking for a new piece to play. I thought it would be appropriate to play a “Prayer” and was wondering what your favorites are? (I know it’s a little cheesy, but why not!) If you have other favorite slow/meditative type solos, I’ll take those recommendations as well. 😉 OH, and I’m thinking more along the lines of Hasselman’s Prayer – not necessarily sacred music like “The Lord’s Prayer”

    TIA!
    -Brittany

    #189486
    Biagio
    Participant

    Hmmmm…OK I’d have to say Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”

    Biagio

    #189488
    Sylvia
    Participant

    TIA is Spanish for aunt, so I’m wondering about that.

    If the church is not Catholic, I’d be sure and ask before using the Ave Maria. Some churches don’t allow it.

    Not just in churches… I have a wedding ceremony and dinner in an event center coming up in September. The guy asked for all classical music, except the Ave Maria.

    The Panis Angelicus is a nice piece.

    #189497
    Emily Granger
    Participant

    How about Renie’s Contemplation?

    #189498
    balfour-knight
    Participant

    One of my favorites is “Priere a Notre-Dame” from SUITE GOTHIQUE by Leon Boellmann. (Prayer to Our Lady) Although written originally for organ, I play it on the pedal harp and people love it. It requires numerous pedal changes, and is not easy, but there may be transcriptions or arrangements available for harp solo. I just play it from the organ score and adapt the double flats (B double-flat is A, and so on) and incorporate the organ pedal notes as leaps in the left hand. (It is written on three staves for organ.) It is very beautiful and worth your time if you are interested!

    Best wishes to you,
    Balfour

    #189499
    balfour-knight
    Participant

    Brittany, this is “Part Two,” ha, ha! I forgot to tell you that there is a recent forum called “Softer, Slower Show Off Piece” that has some great recommendations that might be helpful to you.
    Warm thoughts,
    Balfour

    #189522
    Zane Mallett
    Participant

    A good quiet piece is Sonata in A Major, K.208 by Domenico Scarlatti.

    #189523
    erin-wood
    Participant

    I have played this piece by Gabriel Verdalle called Invocation. It is very nice and not too difficult.
    http://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/c/c7/IMSLP72871-PMLP146022-VERDALLE_invocation.pdf

    #189526
    Alison
    Participant

    Priere by Delmas is the only one I know which I used to play it as an interlude when I first resumed harp at about grade 5 difficulty level, ….. not too tricky, soothing, perhaps a little tame if played too slowly……
    http://shop.morleyharps.co.uk/acatalog/200103.html

    #189576

    Thanks everyone! These are some great ideas. Too bad I can’t play all of them. LOL.

    (TIA = Thanks In Advance)

    #189577
    Gretchen Cover
    Participant

    Have you considered playing something with the church organist (if the church has a good organ/organist) as a “prayer” piece? Aria in Classic Style by Grandjany would be good. Please let us know what piece you select for the concert.

    #189578
    balfour-knight
    Participant

    I agree, Gretchen! I often play harp along with other musicians at my concerts, and when there is a good organist/organ, it can be very nice! Check out the harp-organ duets of Diane Bish and Susann McDonald.

    Best to you all,
    Balfour

    #189710

    My solo choices are pieces like obviously, Priere or Prelude by Hasselmans, Songs Without Words by Mendelssohn, the second and third of the Preludes Intimes by Salzedo, his Introspection or Quietude, or Offrande by Tournier.

    #189776

    Gabriel Faure’s Requiem is now in public domain, and was composed for organ and harp and choir requiring many singers and soloists. Vanderbilt now carries a solo pedal harp version of that last part of the Requiem called In Paradisum which is reverent and slow, in their online catalog of music.

    #189778
    balfour-knight
    Participant

    Patricia, do you know if anyone has arranged or transcribed the Boellmann “Prayer” for solo harp, or harp and organ? (Please see my post earlier in this forum.) I played it in church yesterday and received many compliments! I just use the organ version for harp, but it has many accidentals to figure out, if you are just beginning to play this piece. A solo harp version all written out for the pedal harp would be great, if one exists!

    Have a great day, all of you,
    Balfour

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