gary ruschman | heart sutra
The English title Heart Sutra is a shortened version of its title The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom, which in Sanskrit is Bhagavati prajñā pāramita hridaya
Suitable for all English-speaking practitioners to use on a daily basis, these pieces are single-line and harmonized versions of the well-known Heart Sutra ("sutra" means words or teachings of the Buddha). The text is recited or chanted daily by countless Buddhists, and is part of daily prayers of many Mahayana Buddhist monastics.
The chant is composed in a Western psalm style that should be familiar to European and American practitioners.
Click to Download Score:
Video for practice:
Click to Download Score:
Performance notes: Although there are notated rhythmic values, the natural push and pull of words should be the guiding principle in singing these chants, with note changes occurring with your preference of emphasis and interpretation. They may be performed with a different pitch center, depending on vocal ranges avaiable, and are written to accommodate accompaniment by drones, bells, etc. Click on each page to download.
Graciously commissioned by Carol and Richard Weingarten. Text translated to English by Gavin Kilty. Music © 2017 Gary Ruschman
Simple and harmonized chants are free for use in religious practice-All other rights are reserved.
Please consider a donation by clicking here:
Mp3s now available for download at Amazon.com!
Heart Sutra Simple Chant
The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom (Heart Sutra song)
Also available: a new choral setting of the Heart Sutra.
The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom (Heart Sutra),
Mixed chorus with treble solo
Premiered at the 2018 Festival of Faiths,Translation by Gavin Kilty.
The spirit reaching another shore of understanding.
Price: $1.50/copy
timing: 10'
The chant is composed in a Western psalm style that should be familiar to European and American practitioners.
Heart Sutra: Simple Version in English
Click to Download Score:
Video for practice:
Heart Sutra: Harmonized Version
Click to Download Score:
Performance notes: Although there are notated rhythmic values, the natural push and pull of words should be the guiding principle in singing these chants, with note changes occurring with your preference of emphasis and interpretation. They may be performed with a different pitch center, depending on vocal ranges avaiable, and are written to accommodate accompaniment by drones, bells, etc. Click on each page to download.
Graciously commissioned by Carol and Richard Weingarten. Text translated to English by Gavin Kilty. Music © 2017 Gary Ruschman
Simple and harmonized chants are free for use in religious practice-All other rights are reserved.
Please consider a donation by clicking here:
Mp3s now available for download at Amazon.com!
Heart Sutra Simple Chant
The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom (Heart Sutra song)
Also available: a new choral setting of the Heart Sutra.
The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom (Heart Sutra), Mixed chorus with treble solo
Premiered at the 2018 Festival of Faiths,Translation by Gavin Kilty.
The spirit reaching another shore of understanding.
Price: $1.50/copy
timing: 10'