Thanksgiving takes backward from the present moment, enjoining remembrance of the blessings that have come our way during and even before the era; we recall the historical figures and moments that we can still celebrate.

Consider Benjamin Franklin. His place in our hearts is assured. He is among the handful of historical figures whom all Americans can admire, so well loved that the moniker “Founding Father” seems too stuffy for him. Ben feels more like a Founding Uncle.

Practical, humorous, shrewd, wise, sexy, and despite his gravitas, slightly absurd, with his bifocals and long, straight hair, his dignified vest billowing across that capacious belly. When in the Louvre, coming unexpectedly upon Houdon's famous grinning bust of him, I burst out laughing. It was a joy to set eyes upon that American face in Paris, a city he adored.

A man of parts! Inventor, philosopher, scientist, printer, autobiographer, purveyor of proverbs, Francophile, signer of the Declaration of Independence, framer of the Constitution.

He had a lively interest in music, too. Inventor of the glass harmonica, he played many instruments, including the guitar, harp, and viola da gamba.

He may have tried his hand at composing, may have penned the manuscript of an odd string quartet with the composer’s name indicated only as “Francklin, ”that turned up in Paris some years back. He doesn’t mention it in his letters so we can’t be sure if it’s his.

A sometime music critic, he greatly admired Scottish folksongs, regarding them as more “natural” expressions than the classical music of his time. When his brother Peter wrote a song, Ben sent him an encouraging letter, saying, "I like your ballad, and think it well adapted for your purpose of discountenancing expensive foppery, and encouraging industry and frugality."

Doesn’t that sound like something Uncle Ben would say?

Ben’s sincerity, wisdom and ‘discountenance of expensive foppery’ shine through every line of his beautiful and moving "Prayer of Thanks," which I set to music:

For peace and liberty, for food and raiment, for corn and wine and milk and daily bread, for every wholesome nourishment, I thank thee, Good God, I thank thee.
For all the benefits of air and sunshine, for useful fire, and water pure, for every element of life, I thank thee, Good God, I thank thee.
For art and books and music, for useful and curious knowledge, for the prosperity of my friends and for the fewness of my foes, I thank thee, Good God, I thank thee.
For all the benefits, for life and reason, for use of speech, for health and strength and joy, for every pleasant hour I spend, I thank thee, Good God, I thank thee.

When Chris Miller, founder and director of Cincinnati's esteemed October Festival Choir, invited me to write a piece for the group, Ben’s “Prayer of Thanks” seemed especially appropriate.

I wanted to write a big, stirring, optimistic, American-sounding piece that a large, volunteer community chorus could enthusiastically embrace, learn and sing. A piece that would appeal to “the better angels of our nature.” A high-minded piece, expressing the larger unity behind our religious and political differences.

Given the choir's limited rehearsal time, it had to be easy enough to be quickly learned. Too, it had to feel "big" without being too long. Fortunately, the musical forces accompanying the choir that year included a 25-piece brass choir with timpani. Talk about a big sound!

I asked for orchestral chimes as well so that the repeated bell sound that opens and closes the piece would remind listeners of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the city where Franklin thrived.

I later made a version for solo singer and piano so that the piece can be performed without the brass, timpani and chimes. I hope you’ll join me to hear it in a livestream this afternoon at 4 p.m. by mezzo Audrey Johnson; see the P.S. below for details.

May the experience of listening to this music discountenance you, in Ben’s words, from expensive foppery and encourage you to be industrious and frugal!

To hear Chris Miller directing the October Festival Choir in the premiere performance of "Mr. Franklin Proffers Thanks," accompanied by the Cincinnati Brass Fellowship, click on the link above.

To see a PDF of the score, click on the link above.

I'd love to know what you think about this music; feel free to reply if you're inclined. But please don't feel that you are expected to reply. I'm just glad to share my work with people who are interested.

As always, feel free to forward this message to friends who might enjoy it.

Anyone can be on the list of recipients for these mpFrees (as I call these music emails). To sign up, people can email me at rick@sowash.com, sending just one word: "Yes."

I'll know what it means.

Rick Sowash
Cincinnati, OH
Nov. 22, 2020