Simple, Elegant, Intentional | Mona Lyn Reese’s “Stay with me, God | MusicSpoke

Mona Lyn Reese’s music is impeccably suited to the voice. As the long-time composer-in-residence for the Minnesota Opera, you’d expect nothing less. Perhaps the greatest extent of Mona’s talent is demonstrated by her restraint in “Stay with me, God.” Composers of her experience and talent could easily complicate their scores, but Mona doesn’t over-embellish her work. Instead, she chooses to let the text speak for itself, as she deliberately coaxes a delicately simple melody from a WWII soldier’s prayer. Mona avoids music that could become simplistic with the creation of this setting, which results in a work of art which is profoundly at peace with itself. The universality of the text makes it appropriate for both sacred and secular contexts, which puts it easily within the reach of choirs of all ages and levels of experience. 

 

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