In Love with the Sound of Prayer
In Love with the Sound of Prayer
Original Music by Stephen Cascio

Your story is original.
Expressively, so should your music.

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
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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
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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
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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.

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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.

Play Video

Cascio’s Music Background

Trained in the family of woodwinds from classical to jazz, Cascio’s eclectic style ranges from whimsical, contemplation, heartfelt to bold. His style has organically developed around his inquisitive interest, personality and collaborative synergy to communicate through our world’s universal language. Music.

Cascio has also sung and directed choirs of sacred music for the Tridentine Mass.

Music storytelling is strengthen and enriched from his visual world of being a Creative Director, photographer, artist and liturgical designer—in hopes of giving mindful ears the gift to see, sense and feel.

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.

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stephen s. cascio

©Prayer By Beauty 2023

©Prayer By Beauty 2022