Hymn by Malcolm Smith

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Hymn for piano (1998) 3'26"

This is not a religious piece as such, although it is quite hymn-like and depicts the spiritual search we find ourselves on in our harsh world. The chords all pivot around a central point, rather like my electronic piece Mirror, although here that point is not static but moves with key changes. It's more difficult to play than it seems due to the bass notes needing to be held down rather than using the sustain pedal, hence the noticeably delayed high notes in bar 41 (and later) where the chord span is too wide for one hand to stretch all at once. Cunning organists may be able to play it using footpedals for the long bass notes; do let me know if you make an organic version once the score goes online (soon).

Play/Download "Hymn" [4.4MB .ogg file]

Tags: spiritual, anthemic

[Recorded 2001-08-04 13:25 in Studio 8, Dartington Hall using two AKG C1000S mics into Tascam DA-P1 portable DAT recorder]
{Steinway baby grand piano - Malcolm Smith}

While producing this recording I added a lush long reverb to make the small studio it was recorded in sound a little more cathedral-like. My piano playing isn't great and the piano mechanism is a bit noisy; sadly other takes with more sensitive renditions all failed midway and were beyond rescue. But hopefully my putting the piece online here for you to hear will encourage you all to record your own much better versions!

[Scores (and maybe one day more recordings) will eventually be available]

Your feedback is appreciated (but no need to bother asking "Where are the MP3's?")