Covid Chorale

About This Video

Namaste,

“Covid Chorale” ( Original )


Written by : Richard Stoker - UK

Voice : Ms. Roselyne Haye - UK

Voice : Ms. Chrystal Gordon Kafka - USA

Bass : Enrico Mega - Italy

Guitar & Mix : Mr.Francesco Mega - Italy

Flute & video : FluteFreedom – India


Video Link : - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ2vlMXh3lIt

Lyrics :

Linger long the clash of tempered steel, Cut like Ice the crack of thorny

whip our Fortunes turn at Church bells peal, Forward motion-

Love’s first kisses steal. From the drum and the

fearful gun of war, From the rhythm of Great lovers' motion: All alike strike a note in tune That death - - - - has come

early - - - and too soon - - - ( Four beat silence ) and too soon - - - - - - -


Richard Stoker : Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music - Associate of the Royal College of Music LONDON - UK (Composer, Conductor, Actor, Author, Artist). He has composed more than 11 songs just for me, as he was fascinated by the sound of the Bamboo flute. Ten of them have been made into music videos.

To our deepest regret, he passed away from pneumonia on 24 March 2021 at the age of 82. Let his soul Rest in Peace, his memories shall remain. I shall always be grateful to him.


Story : by Dr Gill Stoker

Like so many millions of people all over the world, Richard and I spent many months in lockdown during the Covid pandemic, from March 2020 onwards. He stayed home, being in the vulnerable 80+ age group, and I just went out every few days for food shopping. There were sunny days when he would enjoy sitting in the garden; otherwise he'd be in the house, listening to the radio, watching TV, and doing some writing. I didn't know he'd written this piece until he asked me to scan it and email it to FluteFreedom (Moogi). I recognised the words, which come from a poem Richard wrote many years ago, published in his short collection Words Without Music (Outposts, 1974), with a slight change to the final words to make it more relevant to the pandemic situation, with people dying “early, and too soon”.

The word Chorale in the title has a religious significance in western classical music: it originates from a hymn tune in the Christian Protestant church, and appears in orchestral as well as choral music. With the subtitle, A Litany for the Victims and Survivors (litany meaning a prayer), the religious reference is confirmed.

Richard didn't explain to me why he'd written the work, but it's clearly a response to the global tragedy that we've all been living through, and the need to commemorate those who have died, and comfort those who have survived, through music.

Richard himself wasn't a victim of Covid, not directly anyway, though the long lockdown can't have been good for his health, but of pneumonia, which struck out of the blue, with no warning. This is one of the last works he wrote – possibly the very last one – and it now stands as a commemoration to Richard himself, who composed music throughout his long and creative life, from the age of 8 to 82. As for myself, so far a survivor, I'm very grateful to FluteFreedom (Moogi) and his friends for performing and recording this piece, and for Moogi's kind collaboration with Richard over the past few years. I know that it meant a lot to him. Thank you.


This is the last song Prof. Richard wrote for me before his death – I could not complete it in time for him to hear it.

We are uploading it as homage to his soul on his birthday, 8 November.


Dr.Len Anderson - U.S.A, : He is my Guru & mentor I thank him for advising & guiding me all along
Dr.Len Introduction : Leonard Anderson is a retired American educator and musician. Anderson enjoys recording the music he has recorded over 10,000 pieces for flutes, clarinets and saxes. Anderson plays all parts on quartet music and is referred to as "the one man quartet". Web page
if you choose to know about him use either the FREE-SCORES.com site....https://www.free-scores.com/Download-PDF-Sheet-Music-lgdsanderson.htm     .....or his YOUTUBE video site....https://www.youtube.com/user/lgdsanderson/videos


I am very thankful to both of them for their support & encouragement, I am where I am due to them.

Mr.Francesco Mega - Italy : voice, guitar and keyboards - Italian composer and lyricist, he has written over 200 songs.



Mr.Enrico Mega - Italy : electric bass, boasts numerous experiences in indie bands and in the recording studio;

Ms.Roselyne Haye - UK : vocals, English singer, she has had numerous collaborations with artists from all over the world.

Ms.Chrystal Gordon Kafka - USA : vocals; Californian singer-songwriter

I sincerely thank Mr.Francesco Mega, his son & his friends, for their efforts & time to study this composition, rehearse, record & mix it in a short space of time. They have all done brilliantly well. Truly impressed.

Locations of the videos shot :

"Maremma - Tuscany (Italy)".

Images of the castle are shot in "Montemassi" and the swamp is called "Diaccia Botrona" ( Italy )

Cabo - de - Rama - Goa ( India )

Raj Baug - Goa ( India )



Please enjoy the video on big screen with headphones or home theatre and please subscribe to my youtube channel & share with your friends.


Thanks

Love & Peace

FluteFreedom

...More

March, 2015

English

Rhythm Blues Soul