Well it's a new year.

One of my goals for 2016 is to take my work in progress, "The Heartsong of Charging Elk," and develop it into a complete, evening length work.

It's hard to give an impression of the work with just one selection. The piece as it stands is essentially 17 songs, waiting for development with a more complete narrative, staging, sets, etc. So I have picked two pieces, one vocal and one instrumental.

The work is based on the novel by James Welch. In it he tells the story of an Oglala Sioux named Charging Elk who was hospitalized in Marseille, France, with broken ribs and influenza while on tour with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. After his condition subsided, Charging Elk finds himself stranded in France, speaking neither French, nor English-and with no legal citizenship in France or the USA- after the show moved on without him. The story that follows is simply gorgeous.

The first piece is instrumental, entitled "The Garden." After finding his way for many years in Marseilles, learning the language, living on his own, and earning a living, Charging Elk is convicted of murder, even though the entire thing is a blatant set up. During his time in prison he gets a much coveted job in the garden, where he finds some peace.

Later Charging Elk is pardoned, and towards the end of the novel he falls in love with the daughter of a farmer who has employed him, and she falls in love with Charging Elk as well, and they are to be married. This song, the penultimate song in the cycle, is entitled Natalie and Her Father. Natalie speaks (sings) of her hopes and fears, while her father prays to the memory of his deceased wife, hoping that she, and God, will forgive him for allowing, even approving, of this union between his Catholic daughter and this strange man.

This incarnation of the work is scored for a 10 piece ensemble and 4 singers. (Vln. 1 & 2, Vla, Vlc., Bass, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, Trumpet, Percussion and Prepared Piano). These recordings are essentially a demo I made after a workshop performance. Some of the musicians include Heather Bentley, Victoria Parker, and Cristina Valdes. The singers are Maria Mannisto, Daniel Oakdon, Rinde Eckert and Robin Holcomb, although you will not hear them all here.

The text for the entire work was written by Rinde Eckert and Robin Holcomb. Rinde wrote the text for the piece you are hearing today.

I hope you enjoy the music.