Short, solemn, and written in bass clef, please.

October 24, 2008 7:05 AM

Here's an obscure one: suggest some (brief, advanced beginner to early intermediate) musical interludes for a Tenebrae service. For double bass (or easily transposed cello, I suppose).

I can't compose or arrange music (I can transpose). I do have some rusty skillz on a double bass (haven't played in 10+ years--I can play with a bow or pizzicato), and have been asked to come up with something (on the order of a brief lamentation/interludes, or otherwise reflective of the readings) for a Protestant Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service.

Any suggestions for those of you who are more familiar with the instrument, the service, the tradition? When I say brief, I mean anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes. I'd like to find something now so I've got 5 months or so to insure I don't embarrass myself.

The services at this congregation are small, informal, liberal, and we don't have a music director I can ask. Feel free to suggest pieces from the traditional (i.e. Catholic chants, etc.) canon, modern work, world music, etc.

(Bonus points if it's especially appropriate for the earthly, rough, human-like tenor of the double bass, instead of for double bass aspiring to imitate cello.)

posted by availablelight to media & arts (8 comments total)

"Were You There" is fairly traditional and would work nicely.
posted by mikepop at 7:36 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]

Bach Cello Suites? Some are very hard (and probably would be even harder on the bass), but some of the slower Courantes and Sarabandes are a bit more accessible, and very beautiful. Look at the Sarabandes from the first or second suites.

You can find the cello suites (and a lot of other public domain music) here.
posted by rossination at 8:16 AM on October 24, 2008

Get this album (can't find an american supplier but you should be able to find it). It's all slow airs from Ireland played on fiddle but they are pretty simple and totally amazingly beautiful and would work well on the bass and not be too hard to play. I think the Bach might be a little tough (I used to be a bass player, now I play fiddle). Anyway, the Matt Cranitch album is intensely beautiful, I really recommend it.
posted by sully75 at 8:43 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]

Do you have the chops for Bach suite #1: Allemande?

What about Schubert's Ave Maria

Here's my friend Joscha playing Blue in Green.
posted by billtron at 9:32 AM on October 24, 2008

Seconding "Were You There."

And it may not match up exactly with the darker themes of Tenebrae, but I recall Nada Te Turbe fit in very well with small prayer services at my liberal Catholic parish some years back.
posted by kittyprecious at 10:46 AM on October 24, 2008

"'Were You There' is fairly traditional and would work nicely."

Tenebrae is traditionally an anticipated celebration of the offices of Matins (celebrated in the middle of the night and Lauds, celebrated at Dawn), but it's also traditionally anticipated on the evening before. As such, "Were you there", a traditional (Protestant) hymn (but not traditional at all in the Catholic worship tradition from which the office is drawn) would be appropriate for Tenebrae celebrated on the Evening of Maundy Thursday.

However, you should consult with the Pastor of the Church, because their Tenebrae service may be a celebration (even the only celebration) of Holy Thursday in that Church (in Roman Catholic Churches, it's celebrated after the celebration of an evening Mass.

If the celebration (preaching, readings, etc.) is focused on Holy Thursday in particular, a very traditional Holy Thursday selection would be the Latin antiphon Ubi Caritas, used during the Maundy service (the washing of the feet).

You'd just want to transpose the gregorian chant version available here. The rhythm goes pretty much with the text. The Abel Di Marco arrangement also shows you the rhythm.

"What about Schubert's Ave Maria"

It's fairly recognizable and quite "Catholic", but then again, they are holding a tenebrae service. It would be useful to know what denomination we're talking about.

For other string players who might be looking... the Biber Rosary Sonatas are great.
posted by Jahaza at 11:54 AM on October 24, 2008 [1 favorite]

Checking in...thanks so much for all the suggestions.

The denomination is the United Church of Christ. I am fairly new to the denomination and Protestantism in general (their last Holy Thursday Tenebrae service was one of my first services there...I am formerly lapsed Catholic), so I was wondering whether "Were You There" would be jumping the gun (and anticipating the crucifixion too soon)-- however, the service will cover both communion and foot washing, followed by the Tenebrae. This congregation does not host its own Good Friday service due to its small size; the next we meet is Easter Sunday.

Feel free to keep the suggestions coming...I'm looking forward to exploring all of these options. What I don't use for this service could be useful for future services.
posted by availablelight at 12:14 PM on October 24, 2008

P.S. As mentioned before, we've taken music from traditional (i.e. Catholic), Protestant, Spiritual, folk, and world sources before, so anything goes.
posted by availablelight at 12:15 PM on October 24, 2008