Your story is original.
Your Music should be just as Expressive.
PODCAST | FILM | TELEVISION | DOCUMENTARIES | LITURGICAL FEAST DAYS
Music of the
Conversion of St. Paul
Title: Conversion of St. Paul
Music Style: Early Roman Christian
Composer/Producer: Stephen S. Cascio
Duration: 2 minutes
PRESS PLAY
Prior to his conversion, Paul, (Saul) avidly persecuted the first Christians, and was even present for the martyrdom of St. Stephen, consenting to his stoning execution. Still breathing murderous threats against the Apostles and Christians, he headed towards the city of Damascus.
Music scene begins: On horse on his way to Damascus, Scripture say that “for 3 days (Saul) was unable to see, and he neither ate or drank”. Perhaps as ascetic penance, Saul demonstrated remorse for the sins he had committed against the followers of Jesus and contemplated how his life would have changed in light of what had happened on the road to Damascus. In his hunger, thirst and blindness, Saul longed for fulfillment and enlightenment and slowly came to the realization that they could only come through Christ.
En route to Damascus, a blinding flash of light (Sound marker 1:26) knocked Saul from his horse and then a voice from the sky cried out, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4b). The voice identifies himself as Jesus, and instructs Saul to continue to the city, where he is to be met by a disciple named Ananias.
Prior to his conversion, Paul, (Saul) avidly persecuted the first Christians, and was even present for the martyrdom of St. Stephen, consenting to his stoning execution. Still breathing murderous threats against the Apostles and Christians, he headed towards the city of Damascus.
Music scene begins: On horse on his way to Damascus, Scripture say that “for 3 days (Saul) was unable to see, and he neither ate or drank”. Perhaps as ascetic penance, Saul demonstrated remorse for the sins he had committed against the followers of Jesus and
contemplated how his life would have changed in light of what had happened on the road to Damascus. In his hunger, thirst and blindness, Saul longed for fulfillment and enlightenment and slowly came to the realization that they could only come through Christ.
En route to Damascus, a blinding flash of light (Sound marker 1:26) knocked Saul from his horse and then a voice from the sky cried out, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4b). The voice identifies himself as Jesus, and instructs Saul to continue to the city, where he is to be met by a disciple named Ananias.
Holy God,
We Praise Thy Name
Magnificum Arrangement
Title: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Orchestral Composer/Producer: Stephen S. Cascio
Available for licensing: Music Introduction for Show/Podcast
Duration: 52 sec
PRESS PLAY
Composer notes:
Stephen S. Cascio’s abbreviated music of Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, resoundingly glorifies and celebrates God—awakening the soul.
The classical instrumental expresses a visceral beat that joyfully rejoices and adores God. It’s a triumphant sound that’s committed to personify what it takes to step-in and battle evil in dark times—to ultimately be with Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Heaven.
The orchestral song with choir, becomes a magnificent well-armed Catholic battle cry with an unbreakable accord that echos the essence and unique character of the songs history.
INSTRUMENTS
• First Violin
• Second Violins
• Solo Trumpet
• Second Trumpets
• French Horns
• Lower Brass
• Men’s Voices
• Women’s Voices
• Church Organ
• Timpani
• Snare Drum
• Bass Drum
• Cymbals
• Church Bell
History of the Hymn
250 year ago, the German Catholic priest Ignaz Franz wrote the original German lyrics in 1771 as a paraphrase of the Te Deum, a Christian hymn in Latin from the 4th century. It became an inherent part of major Christian ceremonial occasions, mainly as a conclusion song. The first printing of the hymn was made in Vienna 1776, where it became part of the Catholic hymnal (Katholisches Gesangsbuch) upon the order of Her Apostolic Majesty Maria Theresia.
Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
Please Forgive Me
Title: Please Forgive Me
Contemporary Classical Composer/Producer: Stephen S. Cascio
Duration: 1 minute
PRESS PLAY
Composer notes:
With calming old world charm, the song sets the tone by putting the mind in a reflective rhymatic of time and space.
The music becomes a prayerful conversation between sinner and God. The first Cello is the sinners cry for forgiveness, and the second accompanied Cello is God’s heart in response to the sinner’s sincerity, making it a heart-felt duet.
Repentance is an extremely personal act, as one becomes open, emotional and vulnerable. In our modern society, my goal was to convey contemplation, God’s love and sensitivity.
INSTRUMENTS
• Felt Piano
• Mandolin
• First Cello
• Second Cello
• Men’s Voices
• Women’s Voices
Film with Music
Heaven Will Hold You
Music and video by Stephen S. Cascio
Duration 1:46 sec
A musical poem for all those who have suffered a loss from a pregnancy. The video begins with violins simulating the fragile beat of a human heart created by God.
The Longest Night (Holocaust)
Music and video by Stephen S. Cascio
Duration 3:08 sec
Human life is precious. To this day, the Holocaust has touched millions of lives and souls. Let us pray for all who were lost, survived and the one’s who still live with unthinkable memories.
Cascio’s Music Background
Trained in the woodwind family, from classical to jazz, Cascio’s eclectic style ranges from whimsical and contemplative to heartfelt and bold. His style has developed organically, shaped by his curiosity, personality, and collaborative spirit, allowing him to communicate through our world’s universal language: music.
Cascio has also sung and directed choirs performing sacred music for the Tridentine Mass.
His musical storytelling is strengthened and enriched by his experience as a Creative Director, photographer, artist, and liturgical designer—aiming to give attentive listeners the gift of seeing, sensing, and feeling through sound.
His collection of music can be heard on SoundCloud.
Original Music
We would love to hear from you, if you have a music concept or idea that needs creative spiritual direction.
Podcast
Film
Liturgical Feast Days
Documentaries
stephen s. cascio
©Prayer By Beauty 2023
©Prayer By Beauty 2022