Variations composed by Bruno Degazio;
Performed by Kaye Royer, clarinet / Ronald Royer, cello / Talisa Blackman, Piano
Programme notes from Mr. Degazio:
“The Wayfaring Stranger” is an Appalachian religious folk song that has been passed down in the traditions of both white and black musicians since the time of the American Revolution, through the days of slavery, emancipation, and into modern times. It appeared in the important early song collections “The Sacred Harp” (1835) and “The Christian Songster” (1858), and has remained popular right up to the present day, having been recorded by artists as varied as Burl Ives (1944), Joan Baez (1966), Johnny Cash (2000), Willie Nelson (2010), and Neil Young (2012). I’ve composed a set of six variations on the musical theme of “The Wayfaring Stranger”. It was written for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Players in 2021.
BRUNO DEGAZIO is professor of Digital Tools in the Classical Animation program of Sheridan College, recently voted top animation school worldwide by Animation Career Review magazine. He has extensive experience in cinematic sound design, including special-effects for the Oscar-nominated documentary film, “The Fires of Kuwait” and music for the IMAX films “Titanica” and “CyberWorld-3D”, as well as many other films and television dramas.