Cloud Songs - OB/BASS/PN

Cloud Songs

for oboe, double bass, and piano

by Alyssa Morris

I. Cirrus 
II. Nimbostratus 
III. Cumulonimbus 

Commissioned by Courtney Miller

This is the printed music.  To purchase the PDF download, click HERE.

CIRRUS- Cirrus clouds are the wispy, feathery clouds that form at high altitudes. They are usually white, and when they are present they are usually accompanied by pleasant weather. The chord progression of the famous Irving Berlin jazz standard “Blue Skies” underscore this cloud song.

NIMBOSTRATUS- Nimbostratus clouds form thick, dense, dark gray cloud layers that are accompanied by continuously falling rain. This movement draws upon the popular ballad form ABABCB to depict an overcast and mournful cloud song.

CUMULONIMBUS- Cumulonimbus clouds are generally known as thunderstorm clouds. These clouds can be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, lightning, and even tornadoes. This cloud song begins with a frenetic figure in 7/8-time, casting a nervous and anticipatory ambiance. A pleading melody follows and makes its first appearance. The melody, from a hymn by John R. Sweney, is accompanied by the following text by James Nicholson:

The Lord is my Light

(Verse 2)
The Lord is my light; though clouds may arise Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign. Then How can I ever in darkness remain

The 7/8 figure returns again, as though someone is fighting anxiety, darkness, and uncertainty while trying to find the light. The hymn melody returns, this time with more optimism and grandeur.

(Verse 3)
The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength. I know in his might I’ll conquer at length. My weakness in mercy he covers with power And, walking by faith, I am blest every hour.

(Verse 4)
The Lord is my light, my all and in all. There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King. With Saints and with angels His praises I’ll sing.

(Chorus)
The Lord is my Light
He is my joy and my song. By day and by night,
He leads, He leads me along.

This cloud song concludes with a final iteration of the 7/8 figure. This time, however, it is filled with optimism, as if to signify that though we all experience darkness and uncertainty in life, we can find divine light and hope as we “look up through the skies.”

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Alyssa Morris has delighted audiences around the world with her “exceptional” and “soulful” musicianship (Fanfare Magazine). Alyssa serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at Kansas State University and as the principal oboist of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Wichita Grand Opera.  She has appeared as a soloist in venues throughout the United States, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Western Europe.  Alyssa has previously held the position of Associate Principal Oboe in the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, and second oboe in the Utah Wind Symphony.  Her recent CD album release via MSR Classics, “A Higher Place,” has been hailed by American Record Guide as “gorgeous and thoughtful” with “stunning” performances, “unmistakable…virtuosity” and “deft emotional timing.” 

Regarding her equally expansive work as a composer, the American Record Guide writes that Dr. Morris’s music “has charm, piquancy, verve, and most importantly, substance.” Her chamber music is performed extensively around the world, and has been presented at the national and international conventions of IDRS, ICA, NFA, and SCI.  Dr. Morris is an International Barlow Composition Commission Award Winner.  She has additionally been commissioned to write music for the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Woodwind Quintet, and Carolyn Hove (principal English horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) to name a few. Dr. Morris’s music has been recorded on the Equilibrium, Centaur, and MSR Classics labels.

Dr. Morris earned her BM and MM degrees at Brigham Young University, where she studied with Dr. Geralyn Giovannetti. She earned her DMA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich. 

For more information, please visit the composer's website at: http://www.alyssamorrismusic.com/