Gentle Presence
This poignant melody and a rich accompaniment section of chromatic arpeggios will mesmerize listeners. An equally artistic piano score, accessible to most musicians, is truly a balanced partnership with the solo. Medium Advanced in difficulty, this piece uses bells D5-C7. An optional 2nd part, slightly easier at Medium Difficulty (2 oct with optional upper 3 oct notes) can be added for richer harmony. Either or both of the Solo or Duet parts may be played on a C instrument, or by a small ringing ensemble. In "A Gentle Presence", Kathleen Wissinger shares her innate feel for melodic line and harmonic settings as well as a hands-on, practical experience with Bell Trees. Being an accomplished pianist as well as a composer, she creates appropriate, playable piano accompaniments that lie well under the hand and complement the Bell Tree line without overpowering it.
Perfect for concert or worship or as an impressive solo at a Bell Tree conference or ringing festival. A full choir setting (RE8036) and another setting for Bell Tree Solo & bell/chime choir (RE5020) are also available; and, soon to be released, a small ringing ensemble/piano version (RE6040R). This score (RE5627R) is available as a hardcopy score or a digital site license, both entirely reproducible by the original purchaser. Written in honor of the author's mother, Mary Lou Gardner (refer to I Peter 3:4 – "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.") this piece emay be used in either sacred or secular settings. G minor, 78 measures. Performance time is about 4:30.
Demo recording features Aimee Buchanan on Bell Tree, Kath Wissinger on piano, courtesy of Valerie Heard. (Note, Aimee was able to play some of the second-part notes in her performance by using a 'flat' bell tree set up – with bell trees hung side by side instead of one behind another.) A recorded piano accompaniment track will be available soon for download. The optional intro measure was added to this score to give the Soloist one measure preparation before ringing with the audio recording.