CD: Fast Falls the Eventide by Peter Clemente and Mark Small
Fast Falls the Eventide is the first recording by the Small-Clemente Duo, which features two classical guitarists Peter Clemente and Mark Small.
The guitarists present a wide-ranging program that includes solo performances, duets, ensemble pieces, as well as collaboration with members of the Utah Symphony Orchestra. The instrumental performances include folk songs, hymns, classical pieces, movie themes, and original pieces. They open with an amazing rendition of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” one of the best-loved hymns of the Restoration. Arranged for oboe, cello and two guitars, the piece sets the tone for the rest of the project, which maintains a study in excellence throughout. For a sampling of what the duo sounds like in performance, check out “Prelude No. 2” and “Fugue No. 2,” two pieces from J.S. Bach taken from Book 1 of The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Arranged for two guitars, Small and Clemente give each piece such elegant and simpatico readings. The CD also features original compositions by Small, the work of Granados, Dvorak, traditional and spiritual pieces, and a take of “A Map of the World,” the theme song of the 1999 film of the same name by Pat Metheny. The showpiece however, is “Waterscapes,” a set of variations on the folk song “The Water Is Wide”, arranged by Small, who dedicated the piece to his father, who was “always drawn to oceans, lakes and rivers.” Fast Falls the Eventide is as complete a record as any artist could wish to make. Put it on and wade into its beauty.
While the majority of the CD is instrumental, it is the one song with vocals that drew us to consider the work for our project. The song is titled “When It’s Time” and was co-written by Mark Small’s daughter Meegan. Meegan sings the lyrics on this folk song in a style that seems to magically transport you to some Irish countryside to ponder the design of the universe:
When It’s Time
Words and Music by Mark and Meegan Small
When it’s time we arrive,
For a while we can stay,
When it’s time for leavin’ we’ll go.
There’s an order to all and a master design,
This we’ll each in our own time know.
Feel the warmth of the breeze,
See the grain in the field,
Hear the geese fly over the trees.
The creator above has an eye on it all,
It’s not hard for me to believe.
Would it make sense if all our lives,
Result from random chance?
Evil and good, a happenstance,
Or is there really a plan?
Full moon in the sky,
Brings the rise of the tide,
And the frost brings red to the leaf.
The creator above has his hand in it all,
That’s not hard for me to believe.
Show me a sign the doubter says,
I must see with my eyes.
Just look around is my reply,
For the proof is in earth, sea, and sky.
When it’s time we arrive,
For a while we can stay,
When it’s time for leavin’ we’ll go.
The creator above has been guiding our ways,
This we’ll each in our own time know.
The creator above has been guiding our ways,
This we’ll each in our own day know.
When Its Time (Listen to mp3 file)
Go here to order the CD from ARN: