New Releases - Sacred
SATB
Treble
Men
New Releases - Secular
SATB
Treble
Men
SABEnhance Your Choral Musicianship - Join Us for a Sacred Choral Workshop
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Hancock Church
1912 Massachusetts Ave.Over the past 30 years, Spectrum Music has devoted much of its commitment to filling the needs of choral musicians. Through our choral browsing and research library, as well as this quarterly newsletter, we have endeavored to provide assistance with selecting quality music for all ranges of choirs - school, church, and community. As an extension of these services, we are offering a Sacred Choral Workshop this summer. Facilitated by the newsletter editor and choral library manager, Marie Stultz, the workshop will include reading sessions of new releases from recent newsletters, score evaluation techniques, warm-ups and vocal training tips. This 3-hour workshop is appropriate for all levels of choral musicians: from those just beginning their careers, to musicians who have been working out in the trenches for many years, but would like some new insights and literature ideas. Selections will include SATB, SAB and treble voiced pieces. The schedule of events:
8:45-9:00
REGISTRATION9:00-9:05
INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME9:05-9:30
WARM-UPS
VOCAL TECHNIQUES9:30-10:00
READING SESSION OF NEW SATB LITERATURE10:00-10:30
HOW TO SELECT EDITIONS -- INCLUDING SAB EDITIONS OF GOOD QUALITY
CHOOSING FROM THE GREAT CHORAL EDITIONS OF THE PAST -- PLUS NEW EDITIONS REVIEWED IN OUR NEWSLETTER10:30-10:45
BREAK10:45-11:15
PEDAGOGICAL FIELD: 10 OBJECTIVES TO VOCALLY BUILD YOUR CHOIR
USING YOUR SCORE EVALUATION SHEET
HOW TO ANALYZE A SCORE11:15-12:00
READING SESSION ON CLASSIC REPERTOIRE -- INCLUDING MORE NEW EDITIONS FOR SATB AND CHILDREN
EMPHASIS ON CRITERIA FOR SELECTING EDITIONSWe hope you can join us for this informative workshop!
Registration fee is $15.00, which includes the choral packet and refreshments. If you would like to attend, please send the form at the end of this newsletter with your check made out to Spectrum Music by July 23 to reserve your space! Send to: Spectrum Music, 1844B Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420
You can also register by phone (781-862-0088), email (info@spectrum-music.com) or online (www.spectrummusiconline.com) with a Visa or Mastercard.
New Releases ~ Sacred Freedom Train, by Rollo A. Dilworth, English text, Hal Leonard, 08748048, SATB and piano. This fine original is composed in gospel style. Filled with straightforward harmonies that are quite accessible, the piece is set up to imitate the sound of the train. Composed for the Chicago Children's Choir as part of their fiftieth anniversary, choirs will have great fun singing this piece structured in layers. Although original, it does quote small sections of "We Shall Overcome" and "Oh, Freedom." This is an excellent addition to the body of music and could be considered patriotic in both subject and style. It is filled with offbeat, more complex rhythms and is set in the key of D Flat Major. Difficulty rating 4. $1.70
Gaelic Blessing, by Z. Randall Stroope, English text, MorningStar, 50-7308, SATB (divisi) and organ. This elegant setting of a famous Irish text is an absolute must for your music library. Filled with moving harmonies on sumptuous phrase shapes, the anthem combines both the English translation and the original Gaelic to form a piece of unbelievable beauty. Commissioned by All Saints' Episcopal church in Atlanta,Georgia, this is a piece your singers will learn to sing with great artistry. The organ part is quite accessible and imitates a quiet, gentle river on 16th note passages in the left hand. Stroope is a fine composer whose music leaves a great impression on the listener and singer. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Give Thanks to the Lord, by Gerre Hancock, English text, Hinshaw, HMC2162, SATB and organ. This anthem is the perfect piece to program on a Sunday when simplicity is the order of the day. The text from Isaiah 12:4-5 is simply set over a more active organ part. The organ part opens in octaves and quickly moves to a more intricate part set in thirds. By contrast, the voices open in unison on a powerful and effective melody. The harmonies are composed with many thirds and some intervalic challenges between the four parts. This is a fine anthem to use with smaller forces but would also be effective in a festival environment. It concludes on a powerful double forte. Difficulty rating 2. $1.55
Hashkiveinu, by J. David Moore, Hebrew text, Transcontinental (Hal Leonard), 993341, SATB, Cantor and keyboard. This powerful setting of this Shabbat prayer can be used in a liturgical environment when high art is required, or in a concert where highly professional singers are available. The cantor opens the anthem, singing over a simple keyboard accompaniment. The piece is filled with haunting phrases sung at Adagio. The harmonies give the piece of feeling of great expanse. The middle section is sung with agitated rhythms that increase the dramatic effect of the words. Filled with changing meters on more complex rhythms, this piece makes a powerful yet effective statement. It concludes as it began, in quiet, chant-like simplicity. A pronunciation guide and translation are included in the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $2.75
L'chu N'ran'nah, arr. Joshua Jacobson, Hebrew text, Transcontinental (Hal Leonard), 00191586, SATB and solo a cappella. This beautiful setting of a Shlomo Carlebach melody is beautifully done. It would be perfect as an opening concert piece, where Jacobson suggests that the singers surround the audience. The staggered section that is repeated over and over again and which suggests traditional free-form prayer becomes hypnotic in nature. The choir concludes the piece on powerful chords of great beauty with some divisi in the parts. A pronunciation guide, background on composer and arranger, translation, and performance suggestions are all included in the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
New Year, by John Rutter, English text, Hinshaw, HMC2145, SATB and organ. Set to an original English text by the composer, this simple piece is composed in unison with harmonic sections of great beauty. The text painting is skillfully done as the singers sing of "New life, and love, and light, and hope, this good New Year." It closes prayerfully, in a reflective mood. The key changes are quite effective and add to the haunting nature of the anthem, which was commissioned by the Organist and Choir of Sandringham Church to honor HR The Queen's 80th birthday. It was premiered in her presence on New Years Eve in 2006. This is another fine piece from this popular English composer and is a wonderful addition to his holiday catalogue. Difficulty rating 3. $1.55
Oseh Shalom, by Robert Applebaum, Hebrew text, Transcontinental (Hal Leonard), 00191588, SATB and keyboard. This ethereal setting of a powerful prayer is quite effective. Filled with lilting chord progressions and rich harmonies, this plea for peace reflects the elusive nature of this hope of the world. Filled with beautiful counterpoint, this poignant anthem is perfect for a service or for the concert stage. A rich piece of music, the anthem concludes quietly with reverent chords on the word "Amen." A pronunciation guide and translation are both included in this edition by a composer new to the Transcontinental catalog. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Pater Noster, by Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672), Latin text, Roger Dean (Lorenz), 15/2445R, SATB a cappella. This fabulous motet is filled with elegant counterpoint and glistening harmonies. Although the piece looks simple, Schütz always presents a challenge for the singer. Based on a text from Matthew 6:9-10, this anthem will develop the choir's intonation skills. The motet is beautifully edited by Chester l. Alwes and contains background on the composer and the motet itself. A clear pronunciation guide is also included. This motet was originally published along with 30 other motets by Schütz in 1625. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
Pleni Sunt Coeli, by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704), Latin/English text, Alfred, 28606, SATB and keyboard. This movement is taken from a larger work, "Te Deum in D Major," scored for woodwinds, trumpets, timpani and strings in 1692. This edition by Patrick M. Liebergen uses as its source the tenth volume of "Melanges Autographes," which includes a collection of all of Charpentier's works. The piano accompaniment and English translation are by the editor. Background on the piece and a pronunciation guide are included in the edition. The piece is filled with wonderful counterpoint and harmonies that only this fine French composer could create. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.75
Russian Alleluia, by Dmitry Bortnyansky (1751-1825), Latin text, Alfred, 28454, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Originally arranged by Tchaikovsky, this edition by Donald Moore is filled with elegant polyphony and wonderful Russian harmonies. Considered the "Russian Palestrina," Bortnyansky uses the polyphonic style of the Roman school of composition, where elegant counterpoint and large phrase shapes were constantly combined. This "Alleluia" is in sharp contrast to the Randall Thompson setting of this familiar single word composed in the 20th century. The opening is filled with harmonies of quiet reverence that quickly change to a joyful middle, with a concluding section ending on a powerful D Major chord sung double forte. Difficulty rating 3. $1.75
Sanctus, by Ola Gjeilo, Latin text, Walton (Hal Leonard), HL08501675, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Filled with complex rhythms and challenging harmonies, this piece requires an accomplished choir. The anthem is quite powerful, but the compositional road map will be a challenge to follow. The triple forte at measure 37 to the end will require voices with enormous focus. Learning to sing so powerfully while keeping the work legato and sounding at ease will aid the choir's vocal development. This piece probably requires a professional ensemble to be sung effectively. Difficulty rating 5. $2.05
The Saints of God, by Andrew Carter, English text, MorningStar, 50-6802, SATB (divisi) and organ. The perfect piece to program for All Saints Day or the concert stage, this elegant piece is filled with beautiful harmonies that will often surprise the ear. Set to a text by Thomas Traherne, it is luminous in gesture with uncanny text painting on expansive phrase shapes. This effective piece would work with a large ensemble in a festival environment. Composed in 2005, it was premiered on November 5, 2005 by the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Lancaster, PA, as part of All Saints Day. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.85
V'sham'ru, by Ben Steinberg, Hebrew text, Transcontinental (Hal Leonard), 00191592, SATB, cantor and keyboard. This wonderful setting from the Sabbath evening liturgy opens with solo cantor, whose voice then weaves in and out of the choral voices. It is filled with some challenging harmonies in the choral part. The long phrase shapes and hypnotic counterpoint make this setting a real winner. A pronunciation guide is included in the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $2.75
TREBLE VOICES~SACRED
Al Har Chorev, by Ovadyah HaGer (1070-1140), Hebrew text, HaZamir Music (Transcontinental), 982005, unison voices and optional melody instrument. This medieval chant for unison voices is uncanny in gesture and beauty. This could be used in a concert environment or during a worship service. This brilliant plainchant, set in 3/8, 2/8 and 48, uses may Old Testament texts to almost magical effect. The source of the edition is taken from Alfred Sendrey's "The Music of the Jews in the Diaspora." What a real find. Program notes, pronunciation guide and translation of the text are included in the edition. Difficulty rating 3. $1.75Alma Redemptoris Mater, by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1524-1594), Latin text, Roger Dean, 15/2443R, SSAA a cappella. Edited by Raymond Sprague, this edition is based on a 1584 publication from Venice. This motet has been raised a major third for vocal clarity and purity of tone. The conductor should experiment with the proper key for their choir. Set to an anonymous 13th century text, the beautiful polyphonic lines are so typical of Palestrina. Elegance and ringing tone are important in working this wonderful motet. The third in a series of antiphons for treble choir, this is another wonderful way to develop your choir's artistic capability with Renaissance music. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
Five Descants for Advent and Epiphany, by Richard P. DeLong, English text, MorningStar, 50-9812, unison voices. These simple descants are engaging. They make great service music for either children or adult female chorus. Included in the publication are three descants for advent; Lift Up Your Heads, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and On Jordan's Bank. Descants for Epiphany include; Songs of thankfulness and Praise and What Star Is This. Difficulty rating 2. $1.70
My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, arr. Moses Hogan, English text, Hal Leonard, 08748496, SSAA a cappella. Arranged by Moses Hogan for SATB voices, this spiritual has been carefully adapted by friend and colleague Rollo Dilworth for four-part treble voices. Like most of Hogan's arrangements, the piece is filled with rhythmic challenges. Commissioned by the Indianapolis Children's Choir, it is part of the Henry Leck Creating Artistry choral series. The range and partwriting require an accomplished choir that can sing this style of music with true artistry. Difficulty rating 4. $1.80
O Come, Divine Messiah, by James Biery, English text, MorningStar, 50-6308, SA, oboe, harp or piano and opt. handbells. This charming French carol is beautifully arranged for children's choir. The handbell parts are quite easy to play, requiring only 5 bells. The oboe part requires an accomplished amateur. Composed in A Major on a lilting 6/8 meter, much of the piece is arranged in unison with some simple two-part writing at the carol's conclusion. This is the perfect choice to sing Christmas Eve. Included in the Innocent Sounds Treble Chorus Series, the carol received its premiere at an Advent concert in 2006. Difficulty rating 2. $1.85
Ubi Caritas, by Ola Gjeilo, Latin text, Walton (Hal Leonard), HL08501677, SSAA a cappella. This anthem is composed homophonically with a lot of repetitions between the four parts. Filled with changing meters and composed in the key of D Major, the choir must learn to sing the repeated notes evenly with concern for balance. Chant-like in nature, there is also a feeling of minimalism about the compositional style. Composed in 2001, Gjeilo's anthem shows direct influence from the Duruflé setting of the same Latin text. Difficulty rating 4. $2.05
MENS VOICES ~ SACRED
Lux Aeterna, by Brian A. Schmidt, Latin text, Walton (Hal Leonard), HL08501670, TTBB a cappella. Haunting dark harmonies dominate this revision from mixed voices to men's voices. This adaptation is almost bone-chilling in its declamation. Set in B Flat Major, Schmidt has managed to capture the darkness of death and yet interject hope as well. Elegant suspensions and long phrase shapes grace this wonderful new edition for men's voices. Tone and text painting effectively interpret a great text that is both "solemn and prayerful" in nature. Staggered breathing and rich melodic lines in all four parts must be achieved if the piece is to be performed well. Difficulty rating 3. $1.90
New Releases ~ Secular Effervescence, by Emma Lou Diemer, English text, Kjos, C9313, SATB (divisi) and piano. This is a fabulous and playful setting taken from an essay by Flannery (M.F.) O'Conner. Filled with charm on exuberant rhythms, the piece simply rings off the page. Composed for the Georgia College and State University Choirs, this is a great addition to a spring concert. It would also be the perfect choice for a festival or honors choir event. Diemer is a gifted composer of great craft, yet the piece sings right from the heart. The text painting is cleverly done. An artistic performance of this piece can be heard on www.kjos.com. This is a real winner from this fine composer. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.90
I Behold Your Beauty (L'acceso), by Giovanni Gastoldi (1550-1622), English/Italian text, Carl Fisher, CM9084, SATB a cappella. This charming balletto is one in a collection first published in 1591 for five voices. This arrangement by Patrick M. Liebergen with English translation has been reduced from five to four voices. Typical of music of the Renaissance, this can be sung with great effect with any number of voices. The piece would be perfect to program with solo voices or a choir of small forces where a conductor is not required. Difficulty rating 3. $1.80
The Lass From the Low Country, arr. Vicky Tucker Courtney, English text, Lawson-Gould (Alfred), 28720, SATB and piano. This is a very straightforward arrangement of this famous English folk song. The writing is simple, making it accessible for a more inexperienced choir. The long legato lines will develop the choir's breath control and artistic capability. The arrangement affords everyone in the choir the opportunity to sing the beautiful melody. The piano part is simple and could be played by an accomplished high school pianist. Young adolescent singers will enjoy this arrangement. Difficulty rating 3. $1.95
Scenda Amor (Love Come Down), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Italian/English text, Carl Fisher, CM9083, SATB and keyboard. This exuberant chorus was composed in 1781, when Mozart was 24 years old, It is set to a French text by Antoine Danchet and translated into Italian by Giamattista Varesco. This edition by Patrick M. Liebergen has a piano reduction of the full score and an English translation also by the editor. Clear performance suggestions and an Italian pronunciation guide are included in the edition. Difficulty rating 3. $1.80
Unicornis Captivatur, by Ola Gjeilo, Latin text, Walton (Hal Leonard), HL08501679, SSAATTBB a cappella. This is a remarkable piece of music by this fine Norwegian composer. Seven minutes in length, it is set to an unusual Latin text. The style of the music is equally unique -- changing from a renaissance dance to shimmering chorales and simple chants that range from unison to eight parts a cappella. A high degree of musicianship is required of everyone if this piece is to be artistically effective. A fine recording of the piece can be heard on the Walton website at www.waltonmusic.com. Difficulty rating 4-5. $3.45
TREBLE VOICES ~ SECULARAll Which Isn't Singing Is Mere Talking, by Dominick DiOrio, English text, Roger Dean (Lorenz), 15/2439R, SSA (divisi) a cappella. This four-minute piece is cleverly conceived. Set to a humorous poem by e.e. cummings, the music structure between the parts complements the poetic humor. Cummings was renowned for indulging in "free play" -- as does this music, with articulation marks and clearly mapped-out interpretive suggestions that will fill the hall with laughter. The word "talking" must be sung evenly between the parts to add to the chatter and gossip implied in the poem and the music. The piece is challenging but great fun to sing. It was premiered in New York in 2006 under the direction of Francisco Nunez. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
Ej, za dworem no górce (Behind the Masters House), arr. Stanislaw Wiechowicz (1893-1963), Polish text, Roger Dean (Lorenz), 15/2437R, SSA a cappella. This great Polish folk melody uses nonsense syllables to tell an amusing tale about a boy, a girl, and her sheep. Edited by Richard Zielinski, a comprehensive pronunciation and translation guide is included. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95Indian Summer, by Daniel J. Hall, English text, Walton (Hal Leonard), L08501667, SSA (divisi), oboe and piano. This sensitive, melodic piece is set to an unusual poem by Emily Dickinson. The tone painting is remarkable and the harmonies are glorious. The setting does require a professional oboist and an accomplished pianist who can play with great sensitivity. The piece opens and closes with solo oboe, while the voices begin in unison on a beautiful and surprising melody. The harmonies are rich with divisi sections in all three parts. . A fine recording of the piece can be heard on the Walton website at www.waltonmusic.com. Difficulty rating 4. $2.05
Mazur (Quick), arr. Edward Bury, Polish/English text, Roger Dean (Lorenz), 15/2438R, SSA a cappella. This is another fine Polish folksong using unusual nonsense syllables. It is the perfect piece to group with Ej, za dworem no górce (Behind the Masters House), another quick Polish dance arrangement that engages the mind and creates a wonderful vision of the Polish spirit. Set in ¾ meter in the key of D Major, this lively dance arranged mostly in thirds is filled with some surprising harmonies. At times the arrangement creates the sounds of horses' hooves striking the road. This would be a great closer for a spring concert. Lasting over three and one half minutes, it ends spectacularly, with a double forte D Major chord, with the sopranos on an a2. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Two Folk Songs for Women's Choir, Volume 1, by Robert Schumann, German/English text, Gentry (Hal Leonard), 08748584, SA and piano. These two folk songs were arranged by the prolific German composer, Robert Schumann, in 1851. Both arrangements can be performed by soloists or a small choral ensemble. The harmonies are thoughtful and ring with romantic fury. Taken from opus 103, Madchenlieder, they are numbers three and four in the four-movement set. Composed strophically in two verses, To the Nightingale describes the young maiden, inspired by the bird's lovely song to dream of her lover. Evening Star continues the romantic thoughts of the young woman. Set again in two verses, the piece will ring on treble voices. Difficulty rating 3. $2.25
MEN'S VOICES ~ SECULAR
I Am In Need of Music, by David L. Brunner, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019728, TTBB and piano. Your men's chorus just got lucky if you select this piece for your next season. Written after the death of colleague David Nott who taught at Illinois Wesleyan, this piece comes from the heart. Brunner claims it was the most difficult piece to write, but he found his musical and compositional voice in interpreting the words through fine text painting. Set to a text by Elizabeth Bishop published in 1928, the composer completely captures the essence of the text. To quote the poet, "I am in need of music what would flow over my fretful, feeling finger-tips. O for the healing swaying, old and low, of some song, sung to rest the tired dead; There is a magic made by melody and Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep." Nott was a bass and this piece totally exemplifies his spirit and work as a teacher, conductor and performer. This great composition should become a staple of men's choral repertory throughout the world. The piece, written originally for SATB voices and commissioned by the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, Texas, was premiered on October 7, 2007 in Myerson Symphony Center. The artistic challenges in this piece will totally engage your singers and audience. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.80SAB VOICES ~ SECULAR
Sakura, arr. Carol L. Matthews, Japanese text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019715, SAB and piano. This is the perfect choice for a middle school chorus of mixed changing voices. The melody will develop your choir vocally, and everyone gets to sing the famous tune. The Japanese is not difficult and the arrangement works on all levels of vocal development. The piece opens with a soloist or small treble ensemble. Then the boys and altos begin the second statement of the melody, while the sopranos sing in canon with them with some changes in the melodic line. With the third statement, the boys must learn to sing in their changed or changing male voices, but the line is reasonable and not difficult. The boys' part is always supported by either the sopranos or altos. This is the perfect developing piece for the middle school music teacher who struggles with repertoire selections. Difficulty rating 3. $1.80Difficulty Ratings Guide: All selections reviewed in The Choral Room are given a difficulty rating to help you select the music most appropriate for your singers. 1 - easy; 2 - accessible; 3 - medium difficulty;4 - advanced difficulty; 5 - extreme difficulty
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