Composition Notes
On Sept 2, 2023, Michael Maw was looking out the windows of his home at the setting sun. He asked God, “What would you like from me?” God responded, “I want you to play Me a song.” As he got up to go to his piano, he suddenly heard a woman’s voice singing in his mind. The music he heard was based on the old familiar hymn “Softly & Tenderly, Jesus is Calling” by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909). However, the woman’s voice sang the tune in a way that was altogether new. He quickly went to his piano to play it out & write down the notes. That night he made a full arrangement for soprano & string orchestra, and also later created a solo piano version as well.
Instrumentation
- Soprano (Vocal Soloist)
- 1st Violins
- 2nd Violins
- Violas
- Violoncellos
- Double Basses
