Randall Thompson’s choral compositions have been a major part of serious programming for well over 50 years. His music can be “characterized by economy and simplicity of means and nobility of expression. Thompson has always felt the need to write music ‘that will reach and move the hearts of his listeners in his own day.’ Consequently—he has always tried to write with sincerity, high purpose, and depth of feeling within traditional forms...” —The World of Twentieth Century Music
Like Aaron Copland, Thompson was a New Yorker, born on April 21, 1899. The son of an English teacher, he spent most of his life in academia either as a student or teacher. Thompson’s music interests were piqued by playing an old reed organ at his family’s summer retreat in Vienna, Maine. His first compositional efforts at 15 were a piano sonata and a Christmas partsong.
He entered Harvard University in 1916, where he met his compositional teacher and mentor Archibald T. Davison during a failed audition for the university chorus. While earning BA (1920) and MA (1922) degrees from Harvard, Thompson also studied composition with Spalding and Hill as well as privately with renowned composer Ernest Bloch. He received his doctorate from the University of Rochester in 1933. In 1922, he won his first award, a fellowship for the American Academy in Rome. This was to be the first of many honors he was to receive throughout his lifetime.
He held various teaching posts including terms at Wellesley College, the University of California at Berkley, the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Princeton University, and his alma mater, Harvard, to name a few. Most of his choral works were written on commission, with many composed for organizations in Massachusetts. The commission of the Alleluia by Serge Koussevitzky for the opening ceremonies of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood in the summer of 1940 resulted in one of the great choral masterpieces of the twentieth century.
Although most choral professionals frequently perform his popular Alleluia, Frostiana, The Peaceable Kingdom, and The Last Words of David, it is worth exploring some of the lesser known works of this great twentieth century master. All of this music is published by ECS Publishing of Boston, with the exception of a few smaller works available from Thorpe Music Publishers, distributed by Theodore Presser.Lesser Known Sacred Works by Randall Thompson for All Voices My Master Hath a Garden, English text, ECS, 4288, SA or unison & keyboard.
Originally written for solo voice to an anonymous text, the alto part is taken from the piano accompaniment that was adapted by the editorial staff at ECS. Written in 1927, it was included in a collection of Four Songs for Children. The piece is ideal for beginning or intermediate children’s choruses. Difficulty rating 2. $1.35A Hymn For Scholars and Pupils, English text, ECS, 2958, SATB or SA 2829 & piano or chamber orchestra. Set to a text by George Wither, the piece was originally composed for the young ladies of Wykham-Rise school choir in Washington, CT in 1973. It was later adapted for SATB voices and instrumental ensemble that same year. Difficulty rating 3. $2.25-$2.95
A Psalm of Thanksgiving, English text, ECS, 2746, SATB, SA children’s chorus & piano or organ or orchestra. This large work was commissioned in 1963 by Mrs. Lucy B. Lemann of New York to be written in memory of Dr. Maurice Fremont-Smith. The piece was composed in 1966 after the completion of The Passion According to St. Luke. This great Thanksgiving cantata received its premiere at the New England Conservatory on November 15, 1967 with the composer conducting. It is set to a text adapted from Psalm 107. Difficulty rating 4. $10.75
The Lord Is My Shepherd, English text, ECS, 2578, SSAA or SATB, 2688 & piano or harp. Commissioned in 1962 in memory of Dorothy C. Drake, this work was premiered in New York City on May 1, 1964, the composer conducting. It was adapted for SATB voices in 1966. Written homophonically over a florid harp accompaniment, the piece is reminiscent in style of the a cappella PueriHebraeorum ((SSAA/dbl, 492, or SATB/dbl, 3082). Difficulty rating 4. $2.40
Lesser Known Secular Works by Randall Thompson for All Voices A Concord Cantata, English text, ECS, 3003, SATB & piano or orchestra. Set to texts by Edward Everett Hale, Allen French, and Robert Frost, the 22-minute piece was commissioned in 1974 by the Bicentennial Committee of Concord, MA. The piece was premiered by the Concord Chorus and the Nashua Symphony. It had its first performance on May 2, 1975. It traces in poetry the story of the Revolution. Some references to God are made in the text, but in general it is a secular work. Difficulty rating 3-4. $5.15
Americana, English text, ECS, 1634, SATB & piano or orchestra. Set to five sequences from The American Mercury, the piece had its first performance April 3, 1932. Subsequent performances include the NEC Chorus, Lorna Cooke deVaron, conductor, singing on WGBH radio in 1979. Difficulty rating 4. $7.95
The Testament of Freedom, English text, ECS 2118, TTBB voices & piano, orchestra, or band (SATB, 3017). Written to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson, Thompson sets four passages from Jefferson’s writings. The piece was premiered on April 13, 1943, at the University of Virginia (founded by Jefferson) with the college Glee Club directed by Stephen Tuttle, with the composer playing the accompaniment. Difficulty rating 4. $7.35-$7.25
Two Children’s Songs, English text, Thorpe, 392-03011, unison or SA & piano. Some One was written during Thompson’s first tenure at Wellesley College in 1927. The second piece, The Echo Child, was composed later that same year. Both songs are ideal for the beginning chorus. Difficulty rating 2. $1.00
New Releases ~ Sacred SATB Voices ~ Sacred
A Sound From Heaven, by Daniel Pinkham, English text (Revelations 14:2-5 and 7:12), ECS, 5228, SATB & organ. Written in predominantly homophonic clusters that are lyrical in quality, the piece is a a true proclamation of the power of God’s might. Fanfare-like, the organ part supports the harmonies but is
written in counterpoint to the voices. The piece requires an accomplished choir. Difficulty rating 4. $1.95Ave Maris Stella, by Edvard Grieg, Latin/English text, Oxford, 341781-2, SATB a cappella. Grieg wrote a small amount of choral music. This edition by John Rutter is an adaptation by the composer from his solo song of the same name. An enchanting miniature, the piece is mostly homophonic, with some divisi in the choral writing. Luminous harmonies dominate this 9th century Vesper hymn. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.50
Three Little Communion Anthems, by Nick Strimple, English text, Oxford, 386142-9, SATB a cappella or organ. These simple, straightforward pieces are ideal service music. From Whence Doth This Union Arise, Come and Taste Along With Me, and Bread of the World in Mercy Broken can be used throughout the church year or at a wedding ceremony. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60
Tribulationes cordis mei, by Johann Michael Haydn, Latin/English text, Presser, 312-41721, SATB & organ or orchestra. This is a fine edition by David Stein. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60
New Editions of Old Favorites
Messe de Nostre Dame, by Guillaume de Machaut, Latin text, Peters, 67574, SATB a cappella. This brilliant edition displays a great deal of research and scholarship. Editor Lucy E. Cross thoroughly discusses the problems of musica ficta—”those inflections by sharps and flats that are understood to be required in performance but are not written into the music.” She carefully takes the conductor through the rules of Renaissance performance practices, building a practical case for this edition. Bravo! What a pleasure to read and study. Difficulty rating 3. $10.95
Messiah, by George Frederic Handel, English text, Oxford, 336668-1, SATB, organ or orchestra. Finally, a scholarly alternative to the Watkins Shaw edition. This fine realization by Clifford Bartlett is also affordable $6.95
Treble Voices ~ Sacred
Cantate Domino, by Ruth Watson Henderson, Latin/English text (adapted from the Psalms), Lorenz, 15/1465R, SSAA, trumpet, & piano. This brilliant piece will ring in a cathedral environment or concert hall. The adapted text celebrates the beauty of song and the sound of instruments. The trumpet part requires an accomplished amateur player and the accompaniment can be adapted for organ. The piece is the perfect concert opener or festival piece for large forces. Difficulty rating 3. $1.95
Five Sacred Songs, by Grayston Ives, English text, Presser, 392-01036, SSAA a cappella. These difficult, but flamboyant pieces were commissioned by the Radcliffe Choral Society when Beverly Taylor was conductor. Lasting about 12 minutes, these pieces are more appropriate for women’s voices than for children. Ambitious counterpoint, wide ranges, and changing meters dominate the musical fabric that splits into six parts in some movements. Difficulty rating 4-5. $3.00
Peace Mass, by Bob Chilcott, Latin/English text, Oxford, 351688-8, SSA, SS solos, & organ. This minimalist-like setting of the mass is a wonderful contemporary addition to the standard repertory. Lasting about 13 minutes, the piece was first performed at Chester Cathedral as part of the Chester International Children’s Choral Festival. It requires an accomplished organist and choir. The compositional style will fascinate children as they learn to sing this unusual mass setting. Difficulty rating 4. $6.50
V’higad’ta L’vincha, by Gerald Cohen, Hebrew text, Oxford, choral score 386204-2, full score 386207-7, SSA, clarinet, cello, & piano. This piece was commissioned by the Syracuse Children’s Chorus, Barbara Tagg, founder and artistic director, through funds from the Commissioning/USA program of Meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the Arts, with support from the Helen F. Whitaker Fund. Based on selections from the Haggadah, the central text of the Passover celebration, it is a story of deliverance from slavery. Composed in six movements, some are available separately. Difficulty rating 3-4. $9.95
New Releases ~ Secular SATB Voices ~ Secular
A Salute to Louis Armstrong, by Libby Larsen, English text, Oxford, 386228-X, SATB & piano. Taken from the choral suite, Seven Ghosts, this piece written on nonsense syllables is cleverly contrived. Briefly quoting such famous blues tunes as “Basin Street Blues,” Lady Be Good,” “Tiger Rag,” “Clair de Lune,” Brahms’ Piano Serenade in A-flat major, and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” choirs will have great fun preparing this challenging piece filled with syncopated rhythms and challenging harmonies. Difficulty rating 4. $2.75
Invitation to Music, by Libby Larsen, English text, Oxford, 386070-8, SATB & piano or orchestra. Based on a Sonnet by Elizabeth Bishop (1928), this piece is filled with challening rhythms and imitative counterpoint between the voice parts. Composed over a fluid piano part, the stark harmonies in the
voices will be challenging to tune. The instrumental parts are available by rental through the publisher. Difficulty rating 3. $2.50Ka Hia Manu, arr. Stephen Hatfield, Polynesian text, Boosey, OCTB7137, SATB a cappella with bamboo poles. Performance practices, pronunciation guide, and translation of the text are included in this extensive piece of Polynesian text, chants, and melodies. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.75
March of the Toreadors by Georges Bizet, French/English text, Oxford, 341786-3, SATB, children’s chorus, & piano or orchestra. This famous chorus from Carmen is edited by John Rutter and is included in his collection of 35 Opera Choruses. The perfect selection to close an evening of opera, a group of lighter sopranos can be substituted for the children’s parts. A cassette or CD of the pronunciation of the French can be purchased separately. Difficulty rating 3. $1.95
Song, by John Gardner, English text, Hinshaw, HMC1616, SATB a cappella. A haunting setting of this text by Christina Rossetti, the piece was written shortly after the death of Donald Hinshaw. The strophic form of the two verses are filled with elegant counterpoint between the voice parts. Difficulty rating 3. $1.10
Vocalise, by Sergei Rachmaninoff, syllable text, Oxford, 386189-5, SATB & piano. Intricate rhythms, melismatic phrases, and changing meter signatures dominate this arrangement by Vadim Prokhorov of this famous solo vocalise (op. 34, No. 14). Difficulty rating 4. $1.50
Treble Voices ~ Secular
A Spring Song, by Robert Schumann, English/German text, H. Leonard, 08739032, SA & piano. Edited and translated by Raymond Sprague, this charming duet taken from Landliches Lied from Drei Gedichte, op. 29, No. 1 is charming. Composed mostly in thirds, with some crossing voice parts, the piece was originally written for solo voices. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60
My Love Has Gone, by Robert Schumann, English/German text, H. Leonard, 08739033, SSA & piano. The second piece in a set of three from op. 29, this piece is more challenging. The intervalic changes in the melodic counterpoint will require careful tuning. Editor Raymond Sprague based the edition on the Collected Works of Robert Schumann published by Werke, Breitkopf, & Härtel. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.60
Shakespeare Songs, by Sir David Willcocks, English text, Oxford, Fear No More the Heat O’ the Sun, 342638-2, Full Fathom Five, 342639-0, It Was a Lover and His Lass, 342637-4, Under the Greenwood Tree, 342636-6, Who Is Sylvia?, 342606-4, SS/SSA & piano. These cleverly crafted pieces are great fun to sing. Written for children’s choirs across the U.S., these wonderful pieces show the brilliance of Willcock’s compositional style and his deep understanding of the treble voice. Often written strophically, the pieces ring on young voices. They are filled with rhythmic and intervalic challenges that develop an accomplished choir’s ability to sing 20th century music. Difficulty rating 4. $1.20-$1.40
Men’s Voices ~ Secular
Four Robert Burns Ballads, by James Mulholland, English text, European American, EA814-17, A Red, Red Rose , Green Grow the Rashes, O, The Banks of O’Doon, Highland Mary, TTBB & piano, opt. oboe. These delightful pieces are filled with sonorous harmonies and rich text painting. The piano part is supportive, written in contrast to the voices. Difficulty rating 3. $1.75-2.50
Thursday, arr. Clive Burn, English text, Presser, 392-01033, TTBB a cappella. This humorous story of chapel monks who go fishing on Thursday is cleverly adapted from the original music and text written by James L. Molloy (d. 1909). A real crowd pleaser, the men will have great fun singing this piece. Difficulty rating 3. $2.50
SAB Voices ~ Secular
Come Again, Sweet Love, by Brad Printz, English text, BriLee Music, BL215, SAB a cappella. Set to a text by English Renaissance composer, John Dowland, the piece is reminiscent of the original solo/lute song. The simple harmonies and straightforward counterpoint make it ideal for a middle school or high school chorus. Difficulty rating 2. $1.40
O Hear This Joyful Song, by Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630), English text, Warner, SV9930, SAB, keyboard, and 2 opt. flutes. Edited and arranged by Patrick Liebergen, this cheerful song about music is very effective for small forces. The counterpoint is well written, with the simple flute parts adding a cheerful air to the overall artistic impression. Perfect for a high school with small forces or with a middle school choir of boys with changing voices. Difficulty rating 3. $1.30
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, arr. Jerry Ulrich, English text, Hinshaw, HMC1668, SAB & piano. This simple arrangement was written for a youth choir festival in South Carolina. Written in unison with some simple voice parts, this spiritual is perfect to program when the choir has limited learning time. Appropriate for school or church, the accompaniment can be played by an accomplished amateur. Difficulty rating 2. $1.25
Today We Shall Be Merry, by Orazio Vecchi (1551-1605), English/Italian text, Lorenz, 15/1420H, SAB a cappella or opt. piano. A charming piece, the simple voice parts make it an ideal introduction to madrigals in the original language. Arranged and edited by Sherri Porterfield, the simple harmonies in strophic form will be easy to learn. Difficulty rating 3. $1.25