| 1 |
Zuni Song
An embellishment of a traditional Zuni melody from the Southwest. The Zuni sing this song at sunrise to greet the beginning of a new day.
|
2:24 |
|
| 2 |
Whippoorwill
Composed after hearing the bird’s song in the woods of upstate New York. Whipporwill received its premiere in an orchestration for jazz ensemble in the summer of 1982 at the World Music Seminar in Woodstock, New York.
|
4:26 |
|
| 3 |
Wioste Olowan Toki Ya
A traditional Lakota teasing song arranged from an ethnomusicological study by Frances Densmore.
|
1:50 |
|
| 4 |
12/13/82 Song
Composed in Kayenta, Arizona which is south of Monument Valley on the Navajo Reservation. This song expresses impressions of seeing, in the rain cleared distance, the distinctive red rock formation known as The Toes.
|
3:25 |
|
| 5 |
December Snow
|
1:42 |
|
| 6 |
Winter Solstice
These two songs were composed in Lukachukal, Arizona (also on the Navajo Reservation) during early winter snows. Winter Solstice reflects the sudden, quiet calm after a heavy snowfall over the stark winter landscape near Lukachukai.
|
3:17 |
|
| 7 |
Wioste Olowan Inkpa-Ta-Ya
A traditional Lakota lullaby arranged from an ethnomusicological study by Frances Densmore.
|
2:43 |
|
| 8 |
12/20/82 Song
Composed on a journey to the San Francisco peaks in northern Arizona. This song expresses the feelings and perspectives of the traditional Navajo culture in approaching the sacred peaks and emulates the reverential air of a prayer.
|
2:03 |
|
| 9 |
11/20/82 Song
A musical exploration of the Native American flute in difterent timbres in which the musical color of the flute is changed using slight variations in pitch. The melody is taken from a European dance of the Middle Ages.
|
1:58 |
|
| 10 |
12/13/82 Song
An arrangement of an old sea chanty.
|
1:21 |
|
| 11 |
11/11/82 Song
Written in Lukachukai after Nakai experienced Navajo healing chants. This song reflects the rhythmic patterns and intensity of the traditional chants.
|
1:09 |
|
| 12 |
Death Song - Lament
Emulates the wailing and emotional responses at a traditional funeral gathering...the mixing of sorrow and relief. The musical phrases perpetuate themselves in unresolved cycles echoing the expression of grief.
|
6:36 |
|
| 13 |
10/18/82 Song
Composed after Nakai experienced the sound and movement of wild winds across the desert landscape around Kayenta.
|
2:53 |
|
| 15 |
Blood Round Dance Song
A traditional social song used at gatherings of the Blood people in western Canada.
|
2:20 |
|
| 16 |
Impovisational Melody
Written after a visit to a lakeside Guatemalan village. The time was early evening and storm clouds filled the sky. Dramatic interplays of light and dark, sky and cloud warned of the coming of a twilight storm over the villages near the quiet lake.
|
1:53 |
|
