Not to Be Missed - Fall Choral Highligts
By Marie Stultz, Contributing Editor
A Note From the Editor
We'd like to bring to your attention several very fine collections and extended works that have been published recently. For this reason, we are postponing the second part of this summer's article on Broadway Show Tunes, Operetta and Popular Standards, until the winter newsletter in 2007. That second installment will reach you just in time to help with your spring concert planning. Below you will find a wealth of new collections and larger works, both sacred and secularThe Restoration Anthem, Volume One 1660-1689, edited by Keri Dexter & Geoffrey Webber, English text, Church Music Society, Oxford, 395379X, SATB (divisi & double choir) & organ. This fine collection of anthems, beautifully edited by Keri Dexter and Geoffrey Webber for the Church Music Society, is a must-own for the serious church musician. Included in the publication are anthems by Child, Aldrich, Creighton, Hawkins, Locke, Purcell, Rogers, Tucker, Turner and Wise. The edition contains exemplary background on the period and the composers, source information, and performance practice suggestions -- all based on authentic research and reliable MS's. Difficulty rating 4-5. 15.95
Advent Antiphons, by Bob Chilcott, Latin text, Oxford, 3433362, SATB double choir a cappella. A 10-minute work containing 7 movements, the texts are based on the 'Great O Antiphons'. The composer comments, "They anticipate the coming of Christmas, and were traditionally sung before and after the Magnificat on the seven days preceding Christmas Eve …The music is based on the plainsong melody, and at the beginning of each 'O' the beginning of the melody is heard, whether unison or harmonized." The piece was composed for and premiered by the Rykjavik Cathedral Choir's 24th annual 'Solo Dei Gloria' Festival in 2004. The first movement, O Sapientia, is filled with surprising harmonies on long phrase shapes. This movement is permeated with changing meters and long contrapuntal phrases of great beauty. The second movement, O Adonaï, soars harmonically. With many changing meters and more challenging rhythms, the key change from g minor to A Flat Major is extraordinary but effective. The third movement, O Radix Jesse, turns to the dark key of f minor. In this movement, many phrases are sung independently by individual singers, creating a chant-like texture that is quite eerie in expression. The fourth movement, O Clavis David, is set for five-part double choir, with the sopranos of both choirs occasionally dividing. Set in the mournful key of b flat minor, it is filled with harmonic clusters and long, beautifully-shaped phrases. The fifth movement is set in the key of B Major and returns to the independent chanting by each singer to build the harmonic texture. The sixth movement, O Rex gentium, is set in the key of a flat minor. The choirs are set in counterpoint with each other on changing dynamics. The descending patterns are touchingly beautiful, yet somewhat stark harmonically. The seventh movement, O Emmanuel, returns to the key of A Flat Major. Filled with expansive chords on changing meters, this movement is filled with mystery and restrained joy. Contrasts in dynamics are very important in this movement, which concludes simply and softly on an A Flat Major chord of great expanse -- adding to the piece's magic and mystery. Difficulty rating 4. $7.95
Dixit et Magnificat, KV 193, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Latin text, Bärenreiter, BA 5340A, SATB & piano reduction (orchestra). Composed in Salzburg in July of 1774, this work is scored for soprano, tenor and baritone solo, 2 clarinets; 3 trombones; tympani; bassoon; continuo; and strings. Martin Focke has carefully realized the piano reduction, basing it on the original MS. The full score and instrumental parts are published separately and available for purchase. The Dixit is set to a rousing tempo of Allegro. The accompaniment is filled with fanfare-like passages in contrast to a vivid counterpoint that only Mozart could create. Composed both homophonically and contrapuntally, the phrases and harmonies are filled with joy and great beauty. The short solos add to the piece's texture. The tempo change to Andante on "The Gloria" is short but tremendously effective. The piece returns to Allegro with the parts composed in counterpoint, concluding with a rousing "Amen." The Magnificat is more complex with intricate, ornamented rhythms. Again, the solo requirements are short but effective. This movement is the more difficult of the two, but well worth the work. Difficulty rating 4-5. $9.95
Magnificat, by Ruth Watson Henderson, Latin/English text, Hinshaw, HMB 242, SATB (divisi), soprano solo & organ. This seven-minute work would be ideal to program for evensong. Commissioned by the Mount Royal Kantorei, a choral ensemble conducted by David Ferguson, this impressive Magnificat is filled with glorious musical moments. Premiered in May 2002 as part of the choir's Canadian Composer Concert Series, this short work should become a major staple for churches and concert programs throughout the world. Henderson always writes beautiful melodies and harmonies, and this work is no exception as she expands her prolific catalogue. The organ part is wonderfully florid while the homophonic partwriting in the choral divisi sections are often a cappella. The voice parts ring with sheer joy and beauty, filled with soaring phrases on accessible harmonies in all voice parts. Combining both Latin and English text, this brilliant setting is a reminder of Henderson's English contemporaries. The key changes add to the anthem's spectacular effect as the choir expounds on this glorious night of Mary's joy. Difficulty rating 4. $6.95
Ordo Virtutum, by Hildegard von Bingen, Latin text, Hildegard Publishing (Presser), 492-001550, unison voices, harp & medieval organ (other instruments of your choice). Composed in 87 brief movements in 1151, this powerful and moving medieval music drama is by one of the world's first woman composers to actively write and publish her music. Hildegard's work was made possible by permission of the Pope. In addition to the Pope's support, Hildegard also employed a male priest as her secretary - an unprecedented situation for a woman of her station to enjoy in her time. According to the editor, Audrey Ekdahl Davidson, "the Ordo Virtutum is a mixed form, combining in one work a concert of sacred music, a drama and a ritual. Labeled an ordo (or rite), by the Abbess Hildegard, and not a ludus (or play), she wrote it for her nuns at Rupertsberg, near Bingen." The editor goes on to suggest that modern performances of this piece "should move freely between ceremony and staged drama." The piece chronicles man's struggle with temptation, the fall of the Soul to Purgatory, and the eventual return from sin to grace. The characters in this medieval drama are Patriarchs and Prophets, Virtues, the Soul, the Devil, Humility, etc. The chant writing is hauntingly beautiful, yet calm and almost of another world. Hildegard was known to suffer with severe migraines and supposedly composed her otherworldly music in part to attempt to ease her pain. The exquisite phrases drift into a mystical union of mind and heart. This fine edition includes translations, background and performance suggestions. Preparing this edition was obviously a labor of love. Difficulty rating 3. $45.00
Notre Dame Choir Editions
These editions are absolutely spectacular -- based on solid research, with titles selected for their quality and great beauty. The scholarship demonstrated by the editor, Ralph W. Buxton, justifies the somewhat higher cost of these editions. His research and editorial commentary are valuable enough that one might consider using a less expensive edition for the singers, while using a Notre Dame edition for program notes. The entire series matches the quality and fine editing of the difficult-to-obtain Arista publications of some similar classic works. This Peters series has got the scholarship right, and there are well over 60 motets published in this series to date. Check the Peters website for a complete list. Recent arrivals to Spectrum in this series are listed below:Aspice Domine, by Jacquet of Mantua (1483-1559), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 055, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $4.95
Ave Verum Corpus, by Josquin Desprez (1455-1521), Latin text, C. F. Peters,
NDC 001, SAT a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $3.95Caro mea, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 027, SSATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $3.95
Domine, tu jurasti, by William Byrd (c. 1543-1623), Latin text, C. F. Peters,
NDC 056, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $4.95Ego sum panis vivus, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 058, SSATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $5.95
Gustate et videte, by Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 057, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $4.95
Haec dies, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 012, SSAATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $3.95
O beata et benedicta et gloriosa Trinitas, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 023, SSATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $5.95
O bone Jesu, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 010, SSAATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $3.95
O Domina mundi, by Nicolas Gombert (c. 1495-c. 1560), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 059, SATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $4.95
Peccantem me quotdie, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 011, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $3.95
O sacrum convivium, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 006, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $3.95
Tantum ergo Sacramentum, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 033, SATBB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3. $2.95
Tribus miraculis, by Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 053, SAATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4-5. $3.95
Vide, Domine, afflictionem, by William Byrd (c. 1543-1623), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 060, SATTB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $5.95
Vox clamantis in deserto, by Clemens (non Papa) (c. 1515-c. 1556), Latin text, C. F. Peters, NDC 052, SAATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $4.95
German Folksongs, by Johannes Brahms, English text, Oxford, 3856603, SATB a cappella. Brahms had become an avid collector of folksongs by the age of fifteen. His passion for folksongs continued for over fifty years, with nearly 200 folksongs being arranged during that time for solo voice and piano, as well as for SATB, male, and female choruses. This collection of folksongs includes 26 of his favorites, all translated and edited by John Lewers, with the original German poetry included in the back of the edition. The editor adhered closely to the original German in his translation, in order to offer a working English edition that is viable today. Strophic in form, these verses must be studied thoughtfully and decisively in order to interpret them with artistic interest. Performing part or all of this collection offers the conductor a rare opportunity to assign solos and solo quartets to more talented members of the choir or chamber ensembles for less confident singers. Performing these arrangements in this way will build the entire choir's independent singing capability. Some of the folksongs included in this fine edition are The Ardent Suitor, One Day I Went a-Riding, A Dove So White, Lullaby, and The Lover's Vision, to name a few. This edition is a must for those conductors who want a truly working English edition of these beautiful songs. Difficulty rating 3 or 4. $15.95
The Ballerina and the Clown, by Libby Larsen, English text, Oxford, 386673-0, SAA & harp. This clever piece had its genesis in the study and interpretation of the paper cuttings of Hans Christian Anderson. In seven movements, the poetry by Sally M. Gall is both charming and sensitive, and the paper cuttings which inspired her are reprinted in this edition. Singers will enjoy the study and interpretation of these intricate pieces. Commissioned by Barbara M. Tagg and the Syracuse Children's Chorus, it was premiered on May 5, 2002 at Hendricks Chapel on the campus of Syracuse University. The commission was made possible through funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Accessible for the intermediate or middle school chorus, the piece is filled with changing meters in a range that will develop the mid-range of a younger child's voice. The work requires an accomplished harpist but could be played on the piano with less effect. The first movement, The Clown, is set in the key of A Major, with much of the music in unison, employing fairly easy harmonies. The second movement, The Clown Goes to Visit His Ballerina, deals with a swan that must go away, "I'm off to visit my love today." This movement is filled with many accidentals and more challenging harmonies. The third movement, The Clown Arrives at the Theater, is another movement filled with charm and simplicity, returning to the key of A Major. The fourth movement, The Sandman Sends Him a Dream, is set in c minor in sympathy for the sad clown who searches for his love. This movement has divisi in the alto part, but the harmonies are composed mostly in thirds, making it quite accessible. The fifth movement, A Message From the Storks, is a song of warning. It is marked "Ferociously" with the quarter note sung at 116. It is a very short movement but quite effective. The sixth movement, The Clown Finds His Way South, is set as a slow waltz, as the clown searches for his love. The final movement, Sunflower Man Shows Off the Ballerina, is also marked "Ferociously" as the clown rescues his love from the evil Sunflower and takes her away to the Northern Sea. Needless to say, this piece is filled with charm and magic. Young singers and their audiences will love this fine realization of a clever, magical text. This imaginative piece could easily be staged as a pantomime. Two of the verses have spoken dialogue, which further suggests that a dramatic performance could be created. Difficulty rating 3-4. $7.95
New Releases ~ Sacred Festival Eucharist, by Craig Phillips, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00624, SATB, congregation & organ (opt. brass quintet & timpani). This is a fabulous piece of service music. Phillips always manages to create a beautiful sound without making the music overly difficult. This piece was commissioned for the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, to commemorate the ministry of the Most Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III as the 25th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Included in the edition are a Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus. Three bulletin inserts are included in the publication and may be photocopied for congregational use. Difficulty rating 2. $3.00
Gloria Patri, by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Latin/English text, Shawnee Press, A2270, SATB & organ (strings & continuo). This Gloria Patri is the final movement of Pergolesi's larger work, Magnificat. There is some feeling amongst a few musicologists that the work may have been composed or at least completed by Pergolesi's teacher, Francesco Durante (1684-1755). The piece begins grandly on homophonic chords of great power. The middle section is composed contrapuntally with the metric mark of Allegro moderato. The movement returns to "Amen" between the statements of the traditional Latin text. This is a beautiful piece and quite accessible. Difficulty rating 3. $1.90
How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place, by Aaron David Miller, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00627, SATB & piano. This is a lush, rich setting of a famous text from Psalm 84. The piece opens with a lyrical organ part in E Major. The sopranos alone make the first statement of the fluid melody. The altos enter next and are set in counterpoint to the sopranos. The piece is composed in canonic layers in that each section enters with the same subject. Tenors make their statement first with the sopranos and altos ornamenting the theme. The bass enters last with all parts in lyric counterpoint. The mysterioso section in d minor is quite beautiful and set to the text "My soul longs for the courts of the Lord." The piece eventually returns to E Major using the opening text with all four parts singing in counterpoint. The piece concludes with a simple, quiet "Amen." Difficulty rating 3-4. $3.60
Kyrie, Benedictus and Osanna, by Franz Schubert, Latin text, Lorenz, 15/2172R, SATB, solos & organ (opt. strings). These three movements are taken from the famous and ever popular Mass No. 2 in G Major. Editor Elmer Thomas got the idea for excerpting these three movements from two recordings by the Robert Shaw Chorale. These selections are three of the more powerful movements from the entire mass and are appropriately chosen and beautifully edited. Editorial notes and translations are included in the edition. Full score and string parts are available from the publisher. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.50
Nunc Dimittis, by György Orbán, Latin text, Hinshaw Music, HMC2099, SATB a cappella. This elegant setting of Luke 2:29-32 redefines the meaning of a composition that sounds tonally and musically peaceful. Filled with beautiful suspensions on unusual rhythmic combinations, this is the perfect anthem to close a choral evensong or evening service. Orbán is a fine composer and this piece more than meets the high artistic standards we have come to expect from this fine composer. Extremes in dynamics add to the power of this glorious setting. Difficulty rating 4. $1.50
Prayer for Peace, by Eleanor Daley, English text, Hinshaw, HMC2100, SSA, SSA gallery choir & 2 part male choir, opt. baritone solo, & organ. This beautiful piece was designed for a specific performance in Norway, where editor Jean Ashworth Bartle was invited to conduct. Daley writes extraordinary music and this piece is no exception. Combining Dona Nobis Pacem with an original melody set to the famous Prayer for Peace by St. Francis of Assisi gives the piece an unearthly quality. This fine work was premiered in March of 2003 with 700 singers, which included children's choruses and young men with recently changed voices. They were performing at the Norbusang Festival in Bodø, a Norwegian town on the Artic Circle. The cathedral was quite large and could house a gallery choir as well as primary choir of treble voices. This piece is quite spectacular and would be tremendously effective with large forces at festival or honors choir events. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.80
Psalm 67, by Avner Dorman, English/Hebrew text, G. Schirmer (Hal Leonard), HL50486099, SSAATTBB a cappella. The Seraphim Singers, a professional choral ensemble commissioned this complex anthem and gave the work its first performance. It was premiered on February 15, 2004 at the Mission Church in Boston, Massachusetts with Jennifer Lester conducting. Chant-like in gesture, this Psalm setting is not for the faint of heart. The piece is filled with rhythmic complexities on changing meters that are artistically challenging. The entire anthem requires a sophisticated ensemble or a solo ensemble of accomplished singers. Difficulty rating 5. $2.95
Simple Gifts, arr. Dale Warland, English text, G. Schirmer (Hal Leonard), 50486092, SATB, harp or guitar & flute. The unique aspect of this arrangement is that it has been prepared by one of the great choral icons in our country. The partwriting is totally Warland in gesture and boasts lovely and effective writing in the accompaniment. The choral parts are straightforward as the voices weave in and out of the instrumental accompaniment. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.70
You Are One In Christ Jesus, by Gerre Hancock, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00626, SATB & organ. This fine setting of Galatians 3:27-28 was commissioned by the members of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas. Hancock is a consummate organist and choral musician and this piece reflects that knowledge. The lyrical "Alleluia" sections are filled with accidentals and harmonies that are often surprising. What is most startling about the piece is the ending, which is sung with slow intensity on repeated B's in unison in all vocal parts on a double piano. Difficulty rating 4. $2.10
A Prayer of Saint Patrick, by Richard DeLong, English text, ECS, 4798, SA & keyboard (or solo voices). This is a sensitive setting of this elegant prayer attributed to Saint Patrick. Composed on short phrase shapes in the mid-range of the voice, the anthem must be sung gently. The canonic partwriting in the second section of the anthem is prayerful and pleading. This is such an appropriate choice for a junior choir that has a beautiful, elegant tone. Difficulty rating 2-3. $1.45
Ave Regina Coelorum, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1524-1594), Latin text, Lorenz, 15/2165R, SSAA a cappella. This elegant motet by Palestrina was first published in Venice in 1584. A four-part motet, it has been carefully edited by Raymond Sprague who refrained from over editing, leaving the interpretation of the piece to the conductor. A translation and editorial notes are included in this edition. Filled with graceful counterpoint, it is the second ofThree Marian Antiphons for Treble Choir. The first antiphon is Salve Regina (15/1853R) also edited by Spraque. Difficulty rating 4. $1.95
Christe Eleison, by Antonio Vivaldi, Latin/English text, Lorenz, 15/2169R, SA/SA & piano (opt. string orchestra). Taken from Vivaldi's Chamber Mass, this duet for two choirs edited by Janet Galván is another example of how a single movement from a Baroque oratorio can be an excellent vehicle for treble voices. Composed in question and answer style, the two choirs have parts of equal difficulty. String parts and full score are available from the publisher. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
Dixit, by Johann Michael Haydn, Latin text, Lorenz, 15/2166R, SSA & piano (opt. 2 horns & strings). This piece is the opening movement of a larger work entitled Vesperae Pro Festo Sancti Innocentiun which was completed on December 8, 1793 in Salzburg and was composed to be sung on December 28 for the "Feast of the Holy Innocents." The opening section of the piece is composed homophonically followed by a section in simple counterpoint. Following the short soprano 2 solo, Haydn returns to the homophonic writing style of the opening. The soprano 1 solo is much more challenging and requires an accomplished singer. A through-composed piece, the "Gloria" is agile, with some challenging melismatic sections. Score and parts are available from the publisher. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
Preces and Responses (Trinity, New Haven), by Iain Quinn, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00636, unison (opt. alto) & organ. Composed to texts written for Morning Prayer II and Evening Prayer II, this is some fine, simple service music for treble voices. When using this service music with a children's choir, it is ideal to use when the children's choir is leading the entire service. This is an excellent collection for teaching children basic chanting techniques. Difficulty rating 2. $1.60
Psalm 67, by Charles Callahan, English text, Concordia, 98-3865, Unison & keyboard (opt. handbells & second voices). This simple setting of a psalm adapted by Henry F. Lyte (1793-1847) is great for teaching a young choir to sing in parts. Composed canonically they will grasp their parts quickly. The handbell part is simple and spans 4 octaves using 7 handbells. This is the perfect choice for the beginning to intermediate ensemble of singers and bell players. Difficulty rating 2. $1.50
SAB VOICES ~ SACRED
I Sought the Lord, by David Ashley White, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00634, SAB & keyboard. This simple anthem is ideal for the church with small forces. Set to an anonymous text from the 1880's, the piece is filled with unison passages and octave singing that make it easy to learn. The harmonies have some special moments with the parts written in a good range to accommodate everyone's voice. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60Lux aeterna, by Imant Raminsh, Latin text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019110, SAB, 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba, timpani (opt.) & organ. Like most of Raminsh's music, this exciting piece is filled with challenges both rhythmically and harmonically. Commissioned by the Kentucky Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association for their All-State choirs, it is dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. It was premiered in 2002. The piece is filled with changing meter signatures of 7/8, 5/8 and 3/4. It is haunting in that it sounds like the quiet, gasping pleas of the people in this disaster. Minimalist in gesture, the piece is truly breathtaking and will require accomplished forces of singers and players. This is a perfect choice for an honors situation or summer festival of accomplished choirs. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.95
New Releases ~ Secular A Horseherd's Mountain Song, arr. Chen Yi, Chinese text, Presser, 312-41833, SATB a cappella. Both folksongs by Yi reviewed in this section of the newsletter were commissioned by the Singapore Youth Choir. Filled with mystical harmonies, the haunting counterpoint is both challenging and extremely effective. The rhythms are complex with some of the voices making the sounds of ancient Chinese instruments. The harmonic slides on an ascending ninth relationship in the composition are extremely effective. Although this is an arrangement of a folksong, the compositional writing is truly brilliant. A pronunciation guide is included in the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $1.70
A Living Song, by David L. Brunner, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019285, SATB & piano (chamber orchestra). Composed mostly in unison or octaves, this piece is set to a text by Joseph Freiherr von Eichendrorff (1788-1857) and a 19th c. rattle fragment found on the Northwest Canadian Coast. The piece's challenge lies in its syncopated rhythms. It was composed in March of 2006 and premiered in York, England with Doreen Rao conducting as part of the 20th anniversary of the Choral Music Experience Institute. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.70
A Single Bamboo Can Easily Bend, arr. Chen Yi, Chinese text, Presser, 312-41832, SATB (divisi) a cappella. This arrangement is filled with rhythmic and harmonic challenges. Yi creates vocal lines and syllables that sound like bending bamboo and the animals in the poetry. The tenors have the folk melody first as the other parts sing their minimalist-like sections as accompaniment. The piece is filled with artistic challenge and requires a soprano section that can sing b flat 2's. The piece ends on a powerful double and triple forte with the soprano and altos parts composed in sharp contrast to the tenor and bass parts. Difficulty rating 5. $1.70
Barter, by Ruth Watson Henderson, English text, Lorenz, 15/2175R, SATB (divisi) & piano. Set to a poem by Sara Teasdale, the text painting both harmonically and melodically has been constructed by a masterful composer. Composed for the Bach Elgar Choir's 100th Anniversary, the lilting melody simply enhances the poignant words. The accompaniment is composed in sharp contrast to the lyrical vocal lines. Filled with carefully marked dynamics, an artistic performance can be attained by carefully following the dynamics indications, building an effective conclusion to these great words that are sensitively set. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
Daffodils, by Ruth Watson Henderson, English text, Santa Barbara Music, SBMP 665, SATB (divisi) a cappella. The poem for this piece commissioned by the Central Bucks High School-West Choir by William Wordsworth (1770-1850) is another fine textual choice. It is filled with beautiful images of nature that Henderson has taken full advantage of as she paints an elegant tonal picture of the daffodils by the lake, "fluttering and dancing in the breeze." Her music always seems to reflect the text and this piece is no exception. The text versification is just brilliant with every note assisting the choir in tonally coloring the words. The divisi in the voice parts suggests that the ensemble be a little larger and highly accomplished. The playfulness of this piece will charm singers and audience alike. Difficulty rating 4. $1.65
Grandfather's Clock, arr. Robert de Cormier, English text, Theodore Presser, 392-02561, SATB, soprano solo, a cappella. This clever tongue and cheek setting of this American popular song of 1875 is a wonderful addition to the American music repertoire. The soprano soloist carries the opening melody as the choir creates the clock with counterpoint that is great fun to sing. The melody is passed to various voice parts in this strophic song that traces the years the clock worked until the old man died. The piece is perfect for the accomplished high school or college choir or would be an excellent choice for an honors choir environment that will take down the house as a closing piece on the program. Difficulty rating 4. $1.70
Let Us Find a Meadow, by Ron Nelson, English text, Theodore Presser, 312-41846, SATB & piano (opt. double bass). This is a very serious piece of music that is well crafted and extremely expressive. Filled with challenging counterpoint, imitative phrases between the voice parts and challenging rhythms, it is set to a wonderful text by Thomas E. Ahlburn. The divisi in the voice parts will have to be carefully sorted out. The intricate counterpoint between the voice parts and short and long phrase shapes must be sung metrically. A bass part is available from the publisher. This is one of the finest pieces we've seen in years from this popular composer who often writes accessible church music. It is always great to see a composer who knows his craft diverge at times and take some compositional risks. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.70
You Made Me Love You, arr. Robert de Cormier, English text, Theodore Presser, 392-02567, SATB & keyboard. This American popular song of 1913 has become a great pop standard. Cleverly arranged with nonsense syllables, it truly fits the style of the early 20th century. This arrangement is the perfect choice when you want to program a lighter piece that is clearly constructed brilliantly. It is filled with syncopated rhythms and some challenging harmonies but will be a true audience pleaser as the choir has great fun in their artistic interpretation of this popular tune. It is one of those musical vehicles that could be semi-staged with top hats and canes. Difficulty rating 4. $1.70
Zutaz (Remembering You), by Javier Busto, English/Spanish text, Walton (Hal Leonard), 08501607, SATB (divisi) a cappella. The only words that can be used to describe this piece are luscious and voluminous. This Spanish love song is set to a poem by Josune Lopez, with English translation by Gunilla Luboff. The warm clusters on the word "Zutaz" are mesmerizing and must be sung at a true double piano with every note perfectly in tune. The rich harmonies and rhythmic gestures are perfectly in keeping with the text versification. The music completely expresses the poetry. The piece is perfect for Honors Choirs or for choirs of high capability. Although written originally in Spanish, the text translation is so beautiful that you probably will want to do the piece in English. This piece is a real winner and is a must for any fine chorus. It could be the crowning glory as a final piece in a concert of love songs. A pronunciation guide with program information is included in the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $1.80
Leisure, by Ruth Watson Henderson, English text, Lorenz, 15/2177R, SA & piano. This elegant piece is set to a text by W. H. Davies and is filled with poignant, questioning harmonies of great beauty. On changing meters of 4/4 and the duple meter signatures of 3/8+4/8, the melody just seems to unfold in a very gentle and thoughtful way. The harmonies are not complex but filled with lovely surprising moments of great beauty. This is another winner by this fine Canadian composer. Difficulty rating 3. $1.85
Peace Songs from County Wexford, by Sue Furlong, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019142, SA, violin, tin whistle & piano. These four songs are well crafted. Commissioned by the County Wexford Choir in 1998, they are filled with sharp contrasts in both melodic and harmonic gesture. Much of the writing is in unison and the partwriting is quite accessible with the exception of number three and four where the rhythms and meter changes offer some challenge. The texts are by the composer with the edition including performance suggestions and a pronunciation guide. These pieces are a great selection for the accomplished middle school chorus and intermediate community ensemble. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Radiant Sister of the Day, by David L. Brunner, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019153, SA (divisi) & piano. This setting of a Percy Bysshe Shelley poem is as radiant as its title. Filled with luminous original melodies on changing meters the piece is filled with tone painting of great beauty. Brunner has been considered a fine composer for many years but in his more recent publications has found a real voice. The tone clusters and startling harmonies are placed at critical moments to better convey the text. This stunning piece of music was commissioned by the Riverdale High School Women's Chorale in Murfreesboro, TN. It is a challenging piece, most appropriate for the accomplished treble ensemble. Difficulty rating 4. $1.70
Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Joelle Wallach, English text, ECS, 7.0444, SA, horn, & piano (score in C). Wallach has composed fine music for a long time. Her music is often constructed on the musical edge with unusual instrument and vocal groupings. Her ears always seem to hear more than most composers of her generation. In many ways she is close in musical gesture to Libby Larsen. This piece, set to a text by Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906), is filled with great beauty and poignancy. The somber horn part sets the stage for the text and music that is to come. It seems to ask the question, "Why is the bird caged and singing alone?" This piece makes a powerful musical statement and is ideal for the accomplished women's chorus. Horn and string parts are available from the publisher. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
Windy Nights, by Mark Patterson, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019167, SA & piano. This simple piece to a text by Robert Louis Stevenson is ideal for the elementary school chorus. It affords the opportunity to teach the young singer to fluctuate between 6/8 and 9/8. The range of the piece is more mid-to-slightly-upper-range of the voice, affording the opportunity to build a focused, beautiful sound in a range that often sounds fuzzy with young voices. The piano part is written independently of the choral parts, building a young choir's intonation and musical confidence. Difficulty rating 2-3. $1.70
MEN'S VOICES ~ SECULAR
Barcarolle, by Jacques Offenbach, arr. Sherwood Dudley, French/English text, Santa Barbara Music, SBMP 638, TTBB & piano. This arrangement of the famous Barcarolle from the Tales of Hoffmann offers the choral conductor an unusual programming opportunity. Dudley has been active in the opera community as an operatic editor. This piece is well done and includes program notes and translation. The four-part writing is raucous but appropriate. This would make a great concert closer or encore for an imaginative men's chorus. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.65Yellow Bird, by Norman Luboff, arr. Dan Davison, English text, Walton (Hal Leonard), 08501610, TB, piano, & flute or B flat clarinet (opt. congas, maracas, clave & bass). This arrangement of the famous 1950's tune for SATB is well done by Dan Davison. The use of simple percussion and clarinet will offer the men an opportunity to perform something quite different in terms of forces and style, something that will satisfy the knowledgeable audience. The piece is beautifully arranged for men's chorus and will be successful with the accomplished middle and high school men's chorus as well. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.80