Overview
Malta is an almost 10-minute composition for solo piano with an optional part for narrator. It retells the story of the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck on the island of Malta as recorded in Acts.
The narrations are entirely optional. The piece can be performed 3 ways: (1) for solo piano, with a program note that it describes the story of Paul’s shipwreck on Malta, or (2) with the full text projected during the performance or printed in a program, or (3) with a narrator speaking on stage.
As of April 9, 2024, I am releasing this composition and the narrator’s text (below) into the Public Domain (CC0 1.0). They are the Lord’s.
MP3 Sample Recording
If you make a live recording (or better MP3s) you’re willing to share here, please email “music” at this website. Naturally I’d love to know about performances also, but the music is public domain regardless.
PDF Score
MusicXML Score File
PLEASE NOTE: When you import this into any music engraving software, it will not look great, but will save you TONS of time if you want to make derivative works, change the keys, etc. Let me know if you want to share your new versions, and I can post them here for others. Contact me directly if you want the full Sibelius music file.
Download the MusicXML (.xml) score file.
Text
The optional text for the narrator is as follows:
I travel under full sail for the judgment seat in Rome. We journeyed as far as Fair Havens. We had lost much time. The weather was changing. Cold wind whipped the mast, and slapped the bow with harsh wet salt.
I foresaw dangers the others missed: Our voyage in disaster — great loss — ship and cargo gone — and our very lives resting on the mercy of sharks’ teeth. The centurion’s heart did not heed my words. His ear, tickled by the captain, listened to the seductive words of foolishness:
“We must sail westward. We will continue. The ship is strong. We will sail to a safe harbor.”
Wide is the gate that leads to destruction. It did not take hours, only minutes. The wind of hurricane force blew down on us. We threw cargo overboard. We threw tackle overboard. Finally, we threw hope itself into the swirling ocean.
And then an angel stood by me. An angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood.
“Do not fear. You must stand trial, Paul. God graciously gives you the lives of the men on the ship.”
And I spoke courage to them.
Midnight. The sailors sense land. Soundings. 37 meters. 27 meters. 15 meters. 8 meters.
Then daylight — aground on a sandbar; pounding surf breaks the bow. We swim for the island of Malta. The islanders cook us fish and bring fresh bread. A fire and food at last!
I gather firewood. A serpent in the branches, driven by the heat of the flames, sinks fangs into my arm. I feel the poison. I feel the pain of death in my flesh.
But the Lord’s words do not return void. The one who is Truth will set me free. The serpent cannot harm me. It falls off into the fire, and I suffer no ill effects.
I sail for judgment in Rome. God is my savior and defender.
This text was inspired by the following scriptures: Acts 27 and 28, Matthew 7:13, Isaiah 55:11, John 8:32, John 14:6.
Revision History
This is the first version and no revisions/updates have been posted yet.
music, classical, compositions by Mark Feezell, piano, worship
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