One of the positives about working in the Music Section is that we have many different directions to go, in terms of fulfilling our mission. There is always something that needs to be done. And that’s a good thing. With constantly evolving technology, we want to assure our patrons we are on top of it with scanning and converting music from earlier braille formats to digital braille music files, adding audio files to the digital collection, proofreading music set in large-print format, and editing liner notes from new audio files to add to the collection.
Sometimes, we have an opportunity to listen to audio samples. I am always drawn to hearing a composer I’m not familiar with. Recently I listened to Theodore Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ in the course of formatting the accompanying liner notes for braille production and narration by our in-house recording studio. It was a special occasion to learn music and seek comfort and is available in braille format to borrow at BRM05211. I was reminded there are many comforting works in the NLS collection, along with various hymnals, and would like to take this moment and present them again, should you feel a need.
Here is a list of requiems (works of remembrance) in braille music format:
Ein Deutsches Requiem (German Requiem) by Johannes Brahms (BRM29956)
Messa de Requiem (Requiem Mass) by Giuseppe Verdi (BRM28958)
Requiem by Gabriel Faure (BRM22817)
Requiem in d minor by W. A. Mozart (BRM34984, soprano solo and chorus, BRM20272 soprano chorus, BRM20270 alto chorus, BRM20269 tenor chorus, BRM28759, bass chorus)
And it’s not only the classical music field that binds people together. Here is a list of lessons on hymns and songs of comfort:
Amazing Grace is available in the piano by ear, guitar by ear and banjo by ear series.
Guitar by ear, style of Duane Allman (DBM03866)
Guitar by ear, Fingerstyle, style of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (DBM02962)
Guitar by ear, Fingerstyle, (DBM02162)
Piano by ear, late beginner (DBM03901)
Piano by ear, intermediate level, (DBM03300)
Banjo by ear, (DBM03218)
With Danny Boy–an Irish air (Londonderry Air) set to lyrics by an English lawyer–there is usually not a dry eye in the house. Words are open to interpretation for the listener, but I have always imagined a mother or parent saying farewell to a son as he leaves for war.
Danny Boy, MusAcom, for soprano. Includes performance of the song with accompaniment, reading of the lyrics for diction guidance, recording of the melody (on piano) and separate recording of the piano accompaniment. (DBM01794)
He Looked Beyond my Fault (aka, Danny Boy/Londonderry Air), guitar by ear, Fingerstyle (DBM02187)
Danny Boy, piano by ear, (DBM02951).
During hard times, find comfort with music. Grief can unite people and music can heal.
To borrow any materials, you can download them from BARD, call us at 1-800-424-8567, extension 2, or email us at [email protected]. You can visit our website at any time to learn more about the services that NLS provides.