AARON JAY KERNIS MUSICA CELESTIS for String Orchestra (fall score) AMP-8077 ‘Second printing: December 2008 Publishers, Inc.Program Note ‘Musica Celests inspired by the medieval conception ofthat phase, which refers tothe singing ofthe angels in heaven in praise of God withoutend, (“The office of singing pleases God if cis perfermed with an atentve mind, when in this way, we imitate the choirs of angels who ae sid to sing the Lord's praises without ceasing"—Aurlianof Reome,trans- lated by Barbara Newman.) I don't particularly believe in angels, but found this to be @ potent image that ha heen reinforced by listening 1 good deal of medieval musi, espe- cially the soaring work of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). Musica Cetests follows a simple, spacious melody and harmonic patter through a number of variations (like a ‘passacagla) and modulations, and is framed by an introduction and coda, Aaron Jar Kerns ‘Musica Celesis bas been amanged for string orchestra by the composer, based onthe soo- ‘ond movement of his String Quartet (1990). It was premiered on March 30, 1992 by the ‘Sinfonia San Francisco, Ransom Wilson, conductor, in San Francisco, Califori duration: ca. 11 minutesMUSICA CELESTIS Aaron Jay Keris ning nm ernest pan