Be Still My Soul

Be Still My Soul (2003), Rhonda Larson

Michael Hung, Flute
Recognition in Music Performance
February 23rd, 2023
Bates Recital Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music

Rhonda Larson is a Grammy Award-winning flute player who was born and raised in the mountains of Montana. Larson is known for her free-spirited artistry, stemming from her connection to nature and spirituality. Composing much of her own music, Larson’s visionary force showcases her gold flute and an array of ethnic flutes in a new and refreshing light. Larson has also expanded the sonic capabilities of her instrument with entirely new techniques, most notably, her inventive flute and voice unison sound.
“Be Still My Soul was inspired by the hymn of the same title, which itself originated from Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia”. The first line of the hymn reads, “Be still my soul, thy Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently your cross of grief or pain”. At the time I was writing what was to become this solo, those words rang a chord deep within my own heart, as if being personally addressed. It was this soulful epiphany that convinced me to incorporate the Sibelius theme, since it was incessantly playing through my mind whenever I was not working on this piece. And true to the title, the soul never quite “stills”, though the mists and clouds clear at the end where the soul seems to “cross over to the other side” in perfect peace.”
“May you sing the music from your soul..... ” – Rhonda Larson

[RhondaLarson]

Beautiful playing, Michael! Thank you for playing my music!
I also really like where you are in the video, I wish you had some lights on that area so we could see you, it looks great at the organ desk!