Sample Concert Programs of American Music
By Marie Stultz, Contributing EditorThe Treble Chorus of New England prides itself in spiriting the cause of American composers, both of our historic past and composers still living. This particular article focuses on some of our concerts over the past three years, as well as an upcoming collaborative concert with the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic, that feature American music; all include some of the best and more serious repertoire written for treble voices, as well as men's and mixed voices.
The first program featured a famous living composer as a guest conductor and composer. This was a mixed program of American and European music that was designed to include a great deal of stylistic variety. In addition to pieces by the Treble Chorus, this program also included some music for men's voices, performed by the Men and Boys Choir of New England, as well as SATB pieces for the full ensemble. Alice Parker conducted the world premiere of her commissioned work "Singing Questions" and the New England premiere of her "Three Seas."
ALICE PARKER ~ GUEST COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR
Pueri Hebraeorum - Randall Thompson
E.C. Schirmer (available SSAA or SATB)Pie Jesu (Unison) - Gabriel Fauré
MorningStar Music PublishersTota Pulchra Es (SSAA) - Maurice Duruflé
DurandMesse brève no. 4 in C (SSA) - Charles Gounod
CarusSpring Wind (SA) - Eric Thiman
Boosey & HawkesThe Aviary (Unison) - Richard Rodney Bennett
The Birds' Lament
The Owl
The Early Nightingale
The Widow Bird
The Lark
WarnerFa una canzona (SATB) - Orazio Vecchi
BourneLamento della Ninfa (TTB) - Claudio Monteverdi
Allegra~Non havea Febo ancora
Amor
Si tra sdegnosi
Walton MusicH.M.S. Pinafore: A Choral Salute - Gilbert & Sullivan/arr. Philip Kern
Alfred (available SATB, SAB, TTBB)Three Seas (SSA) - Alice Parker
I: There is a solitude of space
II: As if the Sea should part
III: A soft Sea washed around the House
Treble Clef PressSinging Questions (2-Part) - Alice Parker
MorningStar Music PublishersThree 17th Century Lyrics (2/3-part) - James Quitman Mulholland
Fair and True
Come Let's Be Merry
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Colla VoceMusic Spread Thy Voice Around - G.F. Handel
G. Schirmer/Hal Leonard (available SATB, SSA)
The second program was an all-America, all-treble presentation which included music by three living composers. The Scott Wheeler piece was commissioned by the Treble Chorus in 1991 and won a major national prize. It was performed twice in England including a London debut at St. Martin-in-the-Field. This program also featured four pieces by Mark Volker, a young composer who was working on his doctorate in composition in Chicago and now teaches at Colgate University. As you can see, in this program we continued to champion our commission of Alice Parker. Once a commission is made, it is important to repeat these new works so they hopefully gain a life of their own. For instance, we have performed the Wheeler piece seven times since 1991. Don Teeters liked the piece so much when we did a joint concert with Boston Cecilia, he subsequently programmed "Whiskers" a few years later using the women of his choir. All the performances met with great success.AN AMERICAN SALUTE
Welcome, Welcome Every Guest - Southern Harmony
MorningStar Music PublishersThe Lord Is My Shepherd - Randall Thompson
E.C. SchirmerThere Is a Garden - Leonard Bernstein
Simple Song - Leonard Bernstein
Boosey & HawkesFour Summer Songs - Mark Volker
The dandelion's
Bee! I'm expecting you!
The crickets sang
This is my letter to the world
In ManuscriptWhiskers and Rhymes - Scott Wheeler
Opening Rhymes
The Bogeyman
The Old Woman
The Troll
Ending Rhymes
In ManuscriptSinging Questions - Alice Parker
MorningStar Music PublishersWhat is Pink? - Ned Rorem
What is Pink?
The House On the Hill
Pavane for the Nursery
Counting Out Rhyme
Who Has Seen the Wind
Boosey & HawkesOld American Songs - Aaron Copland
The Boatman's Dance
The Dodger
Long Time Ago
Simple Gifts
I Bought Me a Cat
Boosey & HawkesSure On This Shining Night - Samuel Barber
MorningStar Music Publishers
The third program included the Men's Chorus of New England conducted by our associate conductor Robert Barney. It featured the entire "Frostiana" of Randall Thompson. These pieces were programmed in preparation for an upcoming performance of them in 2004 with full orchestra. This program was meant to be a kind of travel in time through American music. It met with great success. Themes can often be a great help in selecting a solid, meaningful program.A ROMP THROUGH AMERICAN MUSIC
Music, O Music (Canon) - Lowell Mason
Boosey & HawkesMUSIC OF OUR EUROPEAN MUSICAL ROOTS
Wir eilen mit schwachen doch emsigen schritten (treble) - J.S. Bach
E.C. Schirmer
Duet from Cantata 15 (treble) - J.S. Bach
Boosey & HawkesOUR EARLY AMERICAN MUSIC
Blessing (SATB)- Samuel Stanley
Collection/Boston Public Library
Innocent Sounds (SA) - Jeremiah Ingalls
MorningStar Music Publishers
Modern Music (SATB) - William Billings
WaltonESTABLISHED AMERICAN COMPOSERS
On the Counter (Unison) - Charles Ives
The Side Show - Charles Ives
The Circus Band - Charles Ives
Peer Music
Simple Song (Unison) - Leonard Bernstein
There Is a Garden - Leonard Bernstein
Boosey & HawkesMUSIC OR THE AMERICAN REVIVALIST MOVEMENT
At the River (White Spiritual) (SA) - arr. Aaron Copland
Boosey & Hawkes
Ain't Got Time to Die (Black Spiritual) (SATB) - arr. Hall Johnson
Hal Leonard
Simple Gifts (Shaker Spiritual) (SA) - arr. Marie Stultz
MorningStar MusicAMERICA'S FOLK TRADITION AND BEYOND
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming (SATB) - Stephen Foster
WarnerLIVING COMPOSERS
Singing Questions (Treble) - Alice Parker
MorningStar Music Publishers
Pavane for the Nursery (Unison)- Ned Rorem
Boosey & Hawkes
Angels on the Head of a Pin (SSA) - Daniel Pinkham
E.C. Schirmer
Song of Jubilation (SATB/children) - Marie Stultz
MorningStar Music PublishersOn May 2, 2004, the Treble Chorus will join the Men's Chorus of New England and the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic in a joint concert. This particular program has been planned around a common bond, the fact that a number of composers or poets lived or were born in Lawrence, MA and all composers had direct ties to New England. We will perform the Frostiana as Randall Thompson originally created it, with full orchestra.
FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN
Pueri Hebraeorum (SSAA) - Randall Thompson
E.C. SchirmerAppalachian Spring (Orchestral) - Aaron Copland
Boosey & HawkesWest Side Story (Highlights) (SATB/Orch) - Leonard Bernstein
Hal LeonardOverture to Candide (Orchestral) - Leonard Bernstein
Boosey & HawkesFrostiana (Mixed) - Randall Thompson
E.C. SchirmerI hope these suggestions and observations are helpful in planning programs of American music. All of the published music can be obtained through Spectrum Music. Only two works are unpublished: "The Four Summer Songs" by Mark Volker and "Whiskers and Rhymes" by Scott Wheeler can be obtained by calling MIRA Music Education Publications at 978-664-4705 or e-mail at MIRAUSA2@aol.com.
New Releases ~ Sacred SATB Voices~ Sacred
Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Francis Poulenc, Latin text, Hal Leonard (Salabert), 50600011, SATB & piano. Taken from Poulenc's famous Gloria of 1960, it is wonderful to be able to purchase this lyrical first movement separately, as the full score in six movements is quite expensive. However, be advised that this edition is a reduction from the full score, and the notation is quite small. (The original Salabert edition is also difficult to read.) Filled with changing meters and lyrical phrase shapes on glittering homophonic chords, the piece is perfect for the more advanced choir. The piano reduction requires an accomplished pianist or organist. The entire Gloria was commissioned by the Serge Koussevitsky Music Foundation and dedicated to his memory. Difficulty rating 4. $1.60
Laudamus te, Francis Poulenc, Latin text, Hal Leonard (Salabert), 50600012, SATB & piano. This is the second movement of Poulenc's Gloria. Filled with lyrical counterpoint on short phrase shapes, the piece is unbelievably moving and exciting to sing. The accompaniment is independent of the voice parts. This movement is also filled with changing meters and some challenging intervals. This piece also requires an accomplished choir and a fine accompanist. Difficulty rating 4. $1.60
Lead Me, O God, Pavel Chesnokov (1877-1944), Russian/English text, Kjos Music, 8985, SSATTBB a cappella. Filled with brilliant chords over a wide vocal range, this piece is beautifully written and gives the choir an opportunity to sing one of Chesnokov's op. 25, a group of ten liturgical compositions. This is designated to be sung during communion for the celebration of Pentecost. The middle section is sung by the women's section on lyrical counterpoint. The piece closes with a quiet "alleluia". Carefully translated by Carolyn Jennings, a Russian pronunciation guide, program notes, and source information is included in this fine edition. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.40
Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing, Paul Leddington Wright, English text, Oxford, 350517-7, SATB & organ. This rhythmic proclamation on texts by Charles Wesley and W. Walsham How, is fabulous. Opening and closing homophonically, the middle section has the women singing in three parts over a lyrical male counterpoint. The congregation can also be included in this brilliant anthem with text set in common time with soprano descant. Changing meters and rich harmonies that paint the text as only the English can do it, make this piece a real winner. Difficulty rating 4. $1.95
O Magnum Mysterium, David Conte, Latin text, ECS, 5888, SSATBB a cappella. Filled with hauntingly beautiful harmonies, this fabulous setting of the Matins for Christmas Eve is a significant contribution to both the church and concert repertoire. Conte has always been able to capture the text in surprising and unusual ways and this piece, commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Artists, is no exception. Filled with shifting harmonies of great beauty, the work begins quietly on homophonic chords of dark but glimmering beauty and as the work expands, the voice parts break out into beautiful counterpoint on large phrase shapes. The closing "alleluias" are a real challenge but very powerful with some of the voice parts composed divisi. This is another beautiful composition from this leading American composer. Difficulty rating 5. $1.95
O Sun, David Conte, English text, ECS, 6086, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Set to powerful texts by John Stirling Walker who often collaborates with Conte, this piece is one movement of a four-movement work entitled "September Sun." It was commissioned by St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in New York in honor of all those who died on September 11. It had its premiere September 15, 2002. The piece opens with a choral description of the sun rising and is filled with powerful text painting on long contrapuntal phrases of great emotion. The piece closes quietly on the words "O sun." This is a must for the accomplished chorus. The piano/choral score of the entire work is also available from the publisher. Difficulty rating 5. $2.95
Requiem Motet, Daniel Moe, Latin/English text, ECS, 6024, SATB (divisi) a cappella. This stunning motet in honor of Paul J. Chistiansen is filled with minor seconds and major ninths. The English text is translated by the composer and Drew Collings. The recurring use of the major seventh of d1 and e2 is handled in such a way to add to the poignancy of the setting. Opening in octave unisons, the piece builds into more difficult phrase shapes and harmonies. Set at a tempo marking of Lento, the piece is perfect for Lent or for a funeral. It is a striking piece that will move both singers and audience. Difficulty rating 4. $1.65
Revelation Motets, Daniel Pinkham, English text, ECS, 5923, SATB, tenor solo, & organ. Set to texts taken from Revelations, these three motets are quite the challenge. Intricate rhythms, changing meters, and complex intervals of major and minor seconds and major and minor sevenths, are in sharp contrast to less complex harmonies. Pinkham has a strong and magnificent choral voice and these three pieces, intended to be performed together, are no exception. The opening movement "Salutation" is the easiest of the three with straightforward rhythms on changing meters. "Narration" is the more complex of the three, filled with tricky intervals set contrapuntally between the women and the men. The closing "Exhortation" is filled with short phrase shapes in the choir part accompanying the more florid tenor solo. Difficulty rating 5. $3.95Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, Imant Raminsh, German text, Boosey, M051474547, SSATBB a cappella. Commissioned by the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, this six-part work is mostly homophonic, filled with difficult rhythms and challenging intervals. The piece opens with the altos and sopranos in counterpoint with the second sopranos and the men composed in octaves. Structured in three parts, the stately opening and closing of allegretto makes a musical sandwich for the fugato section at a faster allegro. The piece was composed in homage to J.S. Bach. Difficulty rating 5. $3.75
Tov L'hodos (Psalm 92/It is Good to Praise), Louis Lewandowski (1821-1894), Hebrew text, Hal Leonard (Transcontinental), 00191446, SATB, solo & organ. Written by one of the great Jewish composers of the 19th century, this hymn-like setting of the text from Psalm 92 is simply beautiful. Edited by Mark Dunn, this publication is true to the composer's original, including the unusual Ashkenazic pronunciation of the Hebrew. The cantor writing is stunning with beautiful lines sung over sonorous harmonies. The text painting is quite breathtaking. A pronunciation guide and background on the composer are included in the edition. Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
Tu es Petrus, Robert Pearsall (1795-1856), Latin text, Oxford, 341817-7, SATB (divisi) a cappella. This solemn setting of an Antiphon for the Feast of St. Peter is quite moving. It is an adaptation Pearsall did in 1854 of his own eight-part madrigal "Lay a Garland," composed in 1840. Filled with beautiful suspensions and counterpoint composed on long phrase shapes, this piece would work well with choir or solo octet. It is beautifully edited by Blaise Compton and is published as part of the John Rutter Series of Choral Classics. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.60
Two Spirituals, arr. Leo Nestor, English text, ECS, 5983, Let Us Break Bread Together, SATB, bar. solo, & organ, ECS, 5984, Were You There?, SATB, sop. solo, & organ. These two settings, each sold separately, are sensitively set and were arranged for Nestor's choir in Washington D.C. Composed in 2000 and 2001 for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, they offer alternatives to the standard classic anthems typically used at these services. The choir acts as a choral accompaniment to the solo lines. Both are very accessible. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95-$2.40
Veni, Creator Spiritus (O Come, Creator Spirit), Gábor Lehotka, Latin/English text, ECS, 5943, SATB & organ. Set to a number of Latin texts, and using various sources, the simple, yet lyrical melodic writing on long phrases is quite effective. Dedicated to conductor János Varga, florid sections are alternated by simple chordal writing that seems unforced. The piece alternates between contrapuntal sections and homophonic sections. Program notes and English translation are part of the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $2.95
The Vision, Dominick Argento, English text, Boosey, M051474493, SATB & string quartet or organ. Set to a text adapted from Dante's "Divine Comedy," this complex piece was originally composed for string quartet, therefore the organ adaptation requires an accomplished player. Intricate harmonies, tricky intervals, and complex rhythms on changing meters make the piece a real choral challenge. After the intricate harmonies of this seven-minute piece, it concludes simply in unison octaves. Difficulty rating 5. $1.50
TREBLE VOICES~SACRED
Amazing Grace, arr. Stephen Hatfield, English text, Boosey, M051474653, SSA, bagpipes, & c instrument. This unusual setting of the famous text by John Newton is an adaptation from the suite "Ower the Hills," a Scottish Suite for treble voices commissioned by the Amabile Youth Singers. The choir does not sing the traditional melody but instead sings a counter-melody written by the composer. The florid c part has some rhythmic challenges. This is a very effective setting of this famous piece. Difficulty rating 3. $1.25
Columba aspexit, Tarik O'Regan, Latin text, Oxford, 343905-0, SSAA (divisi) & piano. Based on a sequence attributed to Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), this piece was composed for the Hildegard Choir in Oxford, England. It opens with a statement of the plainchant and then broadens into original music that borrows from the musical sequence. The piece contains extremes in range, thus is probably more appropriate for women's chorus. A challenge to sing, this is a wonderful way to introduce your choir to the world's first published woman composer, a Catholic nun of unbelievable music capability. (See the Winter 1998-99 newsletter for more information on Hildegard.) Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.80
Qui creavit coelum (He Who Created the Sky), arr. Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Latin text, Treble Clef, TC-230, unison & organ or SSAA a cappella. This chant-like piece set to an anonymous 13-14th century text will really work on a choir's unison singing in the mid range of the voice. Set to simple rhythms over an easy organ part, the piece can be performed in unison or in a much more complex four part setting. Difficulty rating 3 (unison), 4 (SSAA). $1.70
Salve Regina, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Latin text, Lorenz, 15/1853R, SSAA a cappella. Beautifully edited by Ray Sprague, this piece was first published in Venice in 1584. In typical Palestrina style, long elegant contrapuntal phrases weave in and out between the voice parts. The editor has provided performance suggestions and a translation of the text written by Adhemar who died in 609. Difficulting rating 3-4. $1.75
Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings), Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901), German/English text, Treble Clef, TC-229, SSAA & harp or piano. Set over a florid keyboard or harp part, this piece is composed homophonically, alternating with more elaborate passages of counterpoint. Set in one of the better keys for treble voices, B flat, this piece will work best on women's voices. Difficulty rating 4. $2.85
Zol Shoyn Kumen di Ge'uleh (Let the Redemption Come), arr. Joshua Jacobson, Yiddish/English text, Hal Leonard (Transcontinental), 00191460, SA, solo & piano. This simple melody is beautifully arranged. Set to a text by holocaust survivor Shmerke Kaczerginski, the piece expresses joy and hope even through difficult times. Pronunciation guide, historic background, and a fine translation are provided by the arranger. Dominated by the soloist, the simple treble part writing makes this accessible by any well-trained choir. Strophic in form, the piece is arranged in three verses. Difficulty rating 3. $1.75
SAB VOICES ~ SACRED
Bring Us To Your Light, Henry Mollicone, English text, ECS, 5759, SAB & piano. Dedicated to the memory of Mary Mollicone, this anthem is set to a prayer-like text by the composer. Mostly homophonic, the simple rhythms and expressive melody are set on changing meters. The piece is almost chant - like in its melodic expression. Composed over a limited range, the anthem is very accessible and appropriate for the small choir. Difficulty rating 3. $1.95
Three Liturgical Settings, Samuel Adler, Hebrew text, Hal Leonard (Transcontinental), 00191448, SAB, solo, cong. & keyboard. The first two selections, "L'chah Dodi" and "Mi-Chamochah," are written mostly in simple unison over a sensitive accompaniment. The third setting has a lot of unison singing with some simple three-part writing over a florid piano part. These three settings from the Sabbath liturgy are quite accessible, with the edition containing background on the composer, translation of the text and a pronunciation guide. Difficulty level 3. $2.00
Ubi Caritas, Elliot Z. Levine, Latin text, Shadowpress, SP 175, SAB a cappella. This is a simple setting of this famous text. Composed mostly homophonically, with limited ranges, it is very appropriate for the small choir. Chant-like in its gesture, it lasts not more than two minutes. Difficulty level 3-4. $1.00
New Releases ~ Secular SATB VOICES ~ SECULAR
In These Delightful Pleasant Groves, Henry Purcell, English text, Boosey, M06014335, SATB soli, SATB, & piano. This edition is realized by Benjamin Britten who was a great scholar of Purcell's music. Originally composed by Purcell for a cappella voices, this adaptation was done for the 1968 Aldeburgh Festival. Britten arranged the piece for some of his favorite singers-Heather Harper, Janet Baker, Peter Pears, and Thomas Hemsley. The piano accompaniment is original to Britten, who used a number of sources for this realization. Program notes and biographical background are provided in this edition. Difficulty rating 3. $5.50
Lay a Garland, Robert Pearsall (1795-1856), English text, Oxford, 341822-3, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Pearsall was a scholar of the renaissance and particularly the music of Morley. The editor has already reviewed his adaptation of this madrigal for sacred voices entitled "In Dulci Jubilo" in the sacred section of this newsletter. The eight-part setting must be handled carefully not to belie the style it copied in the 19th century. Edited by Clifford Bartlett as part of the John Rutter Choral Classic Series, program notes and historic background are included in the edition. Elegant counterpoint and simple harmonies with some surprising intervals dominate the compositional style. Difficulty rating 4. $1.60
Ohisashi Buri (It's been a long time), arr. Stephen Hatfield, Japanese text, Boosey, M051474509, SATB, SA, & piano four hands. These Japanese shouts or greetings are taken from four Japanese songs. Filled with difficult rhythms, explosive counterpoint and extremes in intervalic relationships, this piece is a real challenge and requires a great deal of study before teaching it. Background and performance notes accompany the edition. An extremely interesting and well crafted piece, this is not for the faint of heart. Difficulty level 5. $3.75
Pavane, Gabriel Fauré, French text, Oxford, 341818-5, SATB & piano or orchestra. Originally written for orchestra in 1886, the composer later conceived it as a dance with choir and orchestra. Set to words written by Comte Robert de Montesquiou-Fézensac, the choral version had its premiere in concert in 1888 and was danced in a concert in 1891. Typical of Fauré's style, the piece is dominated by beautiful melodic lines and rich harmonies. This edition of op. 50 by Clifford Bartlett has been carefully researched and prepared. Program notes of this six-minute piece are included in the edition. Full orchestral parts are available from the rental library. This is another fine edition in the John Rutter Choral Classic Series. Difficulty rating 4. $1.80
Rilke Songs, Julian Wachner, German text, ECS, Die Gazelle, 5889, Der Panther, 5890, Die Flamingos, 5891, Der Schwan, 5892, Schwartze Katze, 5893, Das Einhorn, 5894, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Commissioned by the Newton Choral Society, Newton, MA, David Carrier, Conductor, for their 25th anniversary, these are very ambitious pieces but extremely original and filled with wonderful compositional moments. Translated from the German by Karin Grundler-Whitacre, all of the editions contain background on the award-winning composer. The entire set of six pieces, each published separately, requires an accomplished choir to guarantee a successful performance. The text painting of these pieces about animals and fowl is brilliantly conceived. Changing meters, challenging rhythms, intervals, and harmonies are all elements of Wachner's compositional style. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.65 - $2.40
TREBLE VOICES ~ SECULAR
Barb'ry Ellen, arr. Stephen Hatfield, English text, Boosey, M051474868, SSA a cappella. This is an unusual setting of this famous ballad. Not only does the composer use the well-known tune, but he uses two other folk melodies to further the story. Filled with changing meters, intricate ornaments, and extremes in vocal range, this piece is a real challenge. Background and performance notes are included in this edition as part of the Rao Choral Music Experience. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.50
Labour of Love, arr. Stephen Hatfield, English text, Boosey, M051474875, SSA, violin, & piano. This setting of the Celtic song as "Fear an Bháta (The Boatman)" was commissioned for the Toronto Children's Chorus. Filled with tricky rhythms and ornaments, the piece is composed mostly in a slow 6/8. The violin part is composed in the lower tessitura of the instrument. When singing with a large chorus, the violin may need to be amplified. This piece is not for the faint of heart. It requires an accomplished children's choir or women's chorus. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.50
Orpheus, Dominick Argento, English text, Boosey, M051474646, SSA a cappella. The first composition written for youth chorus by this fine American composer, this piece is rhythmically more than a challenge. The work opens in canon beginning with the altos and answered by the sopranos. Much like the canonical writing in Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols," it has döppelganger qualities about it. It alternates with homophonic passages that contain some real challenging intervals. A provocative, absolutely fun-loving piece, it requires the most accomplished treble choir or one that wants to expand its horizons. Difficulty rating 5. $2.50
Roulez jeunes gens roulez (Roll, Young Folks, Roll), French text, Treble Clef, TC-219, SSAA, piano, & body percussion. This is a very clever setting of a traditional French folksong. Everyone will have a great time singing the tune that has been skillfully set by the arranger. Written mostly homophonically with some simple contrapuntal sections, the lovely harmonies and body percussion sections will simply charm an audience. In some ways it is reminiscent of "Il est belle et bon" by Passerau. It is the perfect encore or concert closer. Difficulty rating 4. $3.50
What Can Lambkins Do?, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), English text, Treble Clef, TC-235, SSA & piano. Set to the wonderful text by Christina Rossetti, this cheerful piece will be great fun to learn and perform. Using playful intervals and rhythms, the compositional style perfectly describes the text. Filled with imitative phrase shapes and lovely, mystical, homophonic harmonies, this playful piece ends wistfully. Biographical notes accompany the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $2.25
COLLECTIONS
The Complete Book of Jewish Rounds, Hebrew/English text, Hal Leonard (Transcontinental), 00191040, All Voices. This book is loaded with wonderful rounds by well-known contemporary Jewish composers, collected by J. Mark Dunn, and divided into categories including Chanukah, Psalms, Biblical Texts, Ethical Teachings, Liturgy, and more. A good introduction into the world of Jewish music, this is a valuable resource that includes both a pronunciation guide and some editorial notes. Difficulty rating 2-3. $14.95
Feel the Spirit, Moses Hogan, English text, Hal Leonard, 08743703, SATB (divisi) & keyboard. This fabulous collection contains 35 arrangements by the late composer and arranger Moses Hogan. The edition includes a forward by André Thomas and contains such great spirituals as "Abide With Me," Ain't That Good News," "This Little Light of Mine," and many others. Difficulty rating 3-5. $18.95
Great Choruses from Great Oratorios, multiple languages, Novello, 431333, SATB (divisi with solo) & keyboard. This fine collection selected and introduced by editor Brian Kay contains 16 of the most powerful choruses from famous oratorios. All are in the original language with English translations when appropriate. The music in this collection ranges from such composers as Monteverdi to Fauré. This is an ideal collection for churches that would like some traditional as well as unusual selections. It is one of the better collections this editor has seen in a very long while. Difficulty rating 3-5. $15.95The Greatest Choral Classics, ed. Brian Kay, multiple languages, Novello, 431233, SATB (multiple voicings) & keyboard. Presented in original language with English translations by the editor, this collection ranges from Allegri to Bach to Stainer. A fabulous collection of some of the finest sacred choruses ever written, this is another must-own for the serious choral conductor Difficulty rating 3-5. $15.95
More Than Hymns 2, Novello, 040044, SATB voices, cong. & keyboard. This collection of 18 hymn settings has been brilliantly edited by Barry Rose who arranged three of the hymn tunes. C.H.H. Parry and Henry Walford Davis are among the composers included in the collection. Ideal for the choir that would like to introduce great hymn settings; this is a welcome collection for the active church choir. Difficulty rating 3. $15.95
Sing Low, ed. Barry Rose, English text, Novello, 381000, Men's Voices (multiple voicings). This magnificent collection for men's voices is so needed. Some pieces are original to men's voices and some were adapted by the editor. Included in the collection are such greats as Tallis and Byrd, as well as contemporary arrangers such as Joubert and Cleobury. Difficulty rating 3-5. $16.95
Weddings for Choirs, ed. Judy Martin and Peter Parshall, all languages, Oxford, 3532654. The composers in this collection of 40 beautiful arrangements range from Vivaldi to Finzi to Chilcott. All of the pieces are presented in the original language and are of varying difficulty. This is an invaluable resource for every church musician. Difficulty rating 3-5. $12.95