An original cantata on the life of Johnny Appleseed.
Appleseed John is another of my secular cantatas. Again set to my fathers words, this piece tells the story of John Chapman Johnny Appleseed; an American folk hero from the early 19th century. This highly condensed tale seeks to illuminate some of Johns most enduring qualities. Musically, I strove for a rather quaint American sound that would be in keeping with the man, his time, and place. This work is scored for French horn (John), piano, string quartet, harmonica, banjo, steel-string acoustic guitar, and full choir.
An apple tree grows from a seed.
Young John walks a country road, gingerly singing of his joy in life.
Townsfolk sing of the apple harvest and all things made from the fruit.
The joyous people join in dance.
They dance and sing in praise.
The workmen join John beside an indoor fireplace to sing of the comradery and happiness they find around their sacred crop.
John sings of his freedom and happiness in simple poverty.
While lying in a hammock one evening in later life, John gently rocks like an aged baby while singing to the stars above of how he "could not be a happier man" to the accompaniment of distant ghostly voices.
An old man, John lies on a cot staring into a crackling fire. He quietly and peacefully dies.
The distant ghostly choir sings of how God lends Earth to everyone:
the deer, cat, wolf, and bear,
bird, fish, and butterfly--
all just for the greater glory.
The Lord lends Earth to everyone--
all for the greater glory.
God lends the land for the apple tree
and the fruit upon its bough
He lends the land for the apple tree
Supporting thee and me.
Now the mind of God,
the apple seed,
the hand of man,
the tree.