Calvary Song

Composer: Helder Alves de Oliveira

Instrument: Marimba

Level: Intermediate

Published: 2021

• Description

• Duration: 5 min.
  This five-minute work utilizes as inspiration a poem I wrote some years ago. It is about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to save the humanity from the sin. The emotions and mood suggested by the words of this poem were imitated in Calvary Song. The poem is in Portuguese, and its translation is: 
  
  Proof of love
  By Helder Oliveira 
  
  Walking with your burden
  In silence He goes
  Bad people beside
  Him Want to see
  His blood flow  
  
  On a cross my Lord bore great pain
  In my place suffered
  Oh, what a proof of love!  
  
  Hands that operated healing
  Were nailed there on the cross
  Servile feet anytime
  Yes, they were hurt by me  
  
  My bad decisions lashed Jesus
  And His death on the cross I imposed
  There on the cross, my Lord bore great pain
  In my place suffered
  Oh, what a proof of love!  
  
  Christ gave us salvation
  Freed us from the rude cross
  Traversed the darkness
  Without complaining a second
  Christ gave us his forgiveness
  Give Him your heart! 
  
  Performance Notes
  This piece requires a marimba with 4.5 octaves at a minimum. 
  
  Calvary Song is the award-winning composition (shared 1st prize) of the Intermediate Category at the Stellar Composer Competition 2021. 
  
  Supported by the Stellar Composer Competition 2021.

• Review (Percussive Notes, June 2022)
  
  “Calvary Song” is inspired by a poem written by the composer titled “Proof of Love,” which details the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to save humanity from sin. Oliveira states this composition imitates the emotions expressed by the words in the poem. A winner in the intermediate category at the Stellar Composer Competition in 2021, “Calvary Song” is suited for undergraduate-level students.
  
  As with many compositions published by Edition Svitzer, the program and performance notes are quite detailed. The entire poem is translated from Portuguese to English, giving performers a broader perspective rather than a few lines or a single stanza of text. Most material is technically accessible for a confident four-mallet marimbist. Players must be proficient at one-handed rolls, single alternating strokes at small intervals, and quick intervallic changes in both hands.
  
  “Calvary Song” is a beautiful addition to the repertoire and allows younger students to explore more advanced techniques as well as their own musical voice. It will work well in a variety of performance environments, including solo recitals and community-based concerts.
  
  —Danielle Moreau