Classical music lovers are best acquainted with the Shakers by way of the hymn “Simple Gifts,” employed by Aaron Copland, of course, as the basis for a set of variations at the climax of his ballet “Appalachian Spring.” But the Shaker tradition predates Copland by nearly 200 years.
This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll hear ample selections from “Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals,” an unusual album of traditional Shaker melodies, spearheaded by Joel Cohen in 1995. With this remarkable project, Cohen sought to preserve music of the Shakers in somewhat authentic performances, augmenting his Boston Camerata and Schola Cantorum with members of the actual dwindling population of Sabbathday Lake, Maine, the last active Shaker community, established in 1783.
Music has always been an integral part of Shaker worship. There are over ten thousand songs extant. In Shaker society, musical revelation is considered a spiritual gift. As such, it was important to document these inspirations as they occurred. Since many of the scribes had no musical education, a system of notation reliant on letters of the alphabet evolved. These were often not positioned on a staff, and simple rhythmic values were employed. Lyrics sometimes involve syllables and words of unknown tongues.
The second half of tonight’s program will consist of “Shaker Loops,” a modern American classic by John Adams. This kaleidoscopic example of Minimalism was originally composed in 1978, as a four-part work for seven solo strings (three violins, one viola, two cellos, and double bass). It bears the influence of Adams’ early electronic experiments. On its surface, it may seem somewhat repetitive – each instrument assigned a loop of oscillations – but when heard simultaneously, the various strands are continually shifting. The resultant mesmeric quality neatly parallels the ecstatic writhings of the Shakers.
The work falls into four movements, flowing into one another without break: “Shaking and Trembling;” “Hymning Slews;” “Loops and Verses;” and “A Final Shaking.” Adams arranged the piece for string orchestra in 1983. We’ll hear the world premiere recording, with the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Edo de Waart.
Time to get shaking! Give thanks for simple gifts, on “All Shook Up,” this Sunday night at 10:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
