RIP George Shearing

British pianist George Shearing died recently. I happened to hear an interview with him on Fresh Air yesterday. He was talking about working during "the War." (Because he was blind, he was ineligible for military service.) Because other musicians had been conscripted, he remained busier than he could manage. He described a typical day that began at 10AM in the recording studio and concluded about 4AM in the last-to-close piano bar! It reminded me just a little of the one year I tried to make a go of it job-wise without a full-time gig, and instead worked 4 part-time jobs.

One of the first collections of organ music I ever bought was a set of hymn interpretations by Shearing. At the time, I had no idea who he was, and I didn't know what I was buying, in terms of the adventuresome harmonic language. I probably raised a few eyebrows the first time I trotted out those settings. I think without knowing it those hymn settings colored my own development as an improviser and hymn interpreter. I learned it's okay to string along accidentals and added ninths (major and minor) all day long.

I'm planning to play one of my favorites this week, Shearing's setting of the 'old" tune ANTIOCH. The "new" ANTIOCH we sing to the text Joy to the world. But there is an older minor key ANTIOCH (found in The Sacred Harp) that is usually paired with the hymn I know that my redeemer lives. I think it be a fine testament to Shearing and his music style.

I know that my Redeemer lives; glory, hallelujah!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives; glory hallelujah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gaining ground; glory hallelujah!
The dead's alive, and the lost is found; glory, hallelujah!

New Music

I (Mike Barker) do a bit of composing on the side. Nothing comes easy, and it's a long time between projects. But every now and then the effort pays off. I am having a set of Christmas carol arrangements for flute and organ published by MorningStar Music. I had the proofs in January, and just got my complimentary copies last week. The book is available now, and will be promoted heavily late this summer for the 2007 Advent-Christmas season. I wrote these three pieces to be part of a concert at Crestwood Church a few years ago. After the season, I did some serious editing and sent them off. I didn't hear anything for a long time. Then I had a letter last fall asking if they were still available, i.e. not yet published by another firm. I hope there are plenty of church musicians who will find these useful. I had fun writing them, and our performance (my wife, Libby, did the flute for the premier) was well received. Visiting the link you can see images of several pages from the score, and hear clips from two of the three arrangements. Tell your friends!