Title: Musings
Subtitle: reflection and contemplation
Composer: Betty B. Radford
Handbells used: 3 - 6 octaves
Handchimes used: 3 - 7
Level: 3
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This original music for handbells is dedicated to Fred A. Merrett, Canadian handbell composer and director who was highly regarded throughout the handbell community. The dedication reads in part:
His music and leadership will endure nationally and internationally along with a sincere appreciation of his love for handbells.
Betty has penned the following description of this beautiful and sensitive work:
Musings features a poignant cantabile melody in both minor and major keys. This melody is contrasted with a mysterioso section offering moments of nostalgia and distress. Overall Musings explores thoughts of contemplation, reflection, wishing, yearning, anxiety, wistfulness, joy, delight, bliss, pondering and meditation.
The various ‘moods’ she described are beautifully formed with LVs, gentle stopped sounds (TD or gentle mallets) plus the low chimes which all support and showcase the lovely, lyrical melody. Betty’s gift for creating this beautiful music shows her loving regard for Fred Merrett’s life and all he shared with the world through handbells.
