Song Of Compassion
John Newell
About this work:
Song of Compassion was composed for two violas (amplified), electronic keyboard, and percussion solo. The violas represent Green Tara and White Tara, daughters of the boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara. It is said that that they were born from the tears that the boddhisattva shed for the suffering of sentient beings. The Taras are manifestations of compassionate energy.
The work is in one movement. Sample score pages will soon be posted, and a CD of the electronic keyboard sounds is available (contact me for details).
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:20:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 2-5 players
Instrumentation: 1 Percussion (General), 1 Electric/Electronic Keyboard, 2 Viola
Instrumentation notes: Preferably the violas should be amplified. The score contains detailed settings for the electronic keyboard part (composed for a very basic Yamaha keyboard); however, a CD of the electronic keyboard sounds is available for performers who will be working on another keyboard. The percussion part includes drum set, temple blocks, cymbals and Tibetan cymbals (tsingshas), which are now easy to find.