Three Meditations

Paul Fowler

General Info

Year: 2008
Duration: c. 7:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: 6 Line Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $0.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

1. Rumi’s Words
2. The Meditation Wall behind Poshan Temple
3. Prayer of St. Francis

Instrumentation

Marimba

Voice

Program Notes

Premiere of complete on 1/25/09 by Marjorie Fowler and Scott Wenzel at Cardinal Stritch University, WI. Three Meditations is intended for performance without break.


Rumi's Words
we came whirling
out of nothingness
scattering stars
like dust

the stars made a circle
and in the middle
we dance

the wheel of heaven
circles God
like a mill

turning and turning
it sunders
all attachment

if that rusty old sky
creaks to a stop
still, still I turn

and it is only God
circling Himself

Rumi, translated by Daniel Liebert (title by the composer)


The Meditation Wall behind Poshan Temple
I entered an ancient temple at dawn
the rising sun lit the tall trees
a trail led off to a secluded place
to a meditation hall in a flowering wood
where mountain light pleased the hearts of birds
and pond's reflections stilled men's minds
the ten thousand noises were hushed
all I heard was the bell

Ch'ang Chien, translated by Red Pine


Prayer of St. Francis
Commissioned by Jenn Hawe, premiered at Ithaca College in 2002. Text modifications by Jenn Hawe and the composer.

Oh Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, may I sow love.
Where there is injury, may I sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, may I sow faith.
Where there is despair, may I sow hope; where there is darkness, may I shed light;
and where there is sadness, may I bring joy.
Grant that I may never seek so much, to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand, or to be loved, as to love.
For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; in giving we receive,
and in dying we are born, to eternal life.

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Balal - Percussion Quartet
Benzi: Chaplin - Percussion Octet; Video Playback
for Peace - Marimba
In Your Shoes - Percussion Ensemble (10)
Michiyuki - Marimba
Three Meditations - Marimba; Voice