Ancient Buddhist Prayer

I didnt discover the music of Marie-Juliette Olga (Lili) Boulanger until 2021. I was sorry it took me so long to connect with it. She passed away in 1918 at just 24 years old, yet left behind some remarkable compositions that today still sound fresh, exhibiting a level of craft and creativity that were the envy of many of her contemporaries. Vieille priere bouddhique remains my favorite of her pieces. Its moving text is relevant to our current world and the words are given power by her skillful use of lush tonalities. Unfortunately, the work is rarely performed. The 8 minute piece requires a substantial orchestra, including two harps and a celesta. I wanted to expose the work to a wider audience, so I set about creating a reduction that more choral groups could approach. The score retains the SATB chorus and the tenor solo. In place of the orchestra, Ive substituted a pipe organ and piano in order to simulate the complex harmonies and timbres of the original. I also created a translation that closely matches her French text, so that English-speaking audiences would get the full impact of the words she chose. I hope through this that more people become familiar with such a remarkably gifted composer.