Choral Room Makeover
New Releases - Sacred
SATB
Treble & Men
New Releases - Secular
SATB
Treble & SAB
Choral Room Makeover
SELECT AND ORDER RECOMMENDED MUSIC WITH EASE
By Marie Stultz, Contributing EditorThis fall Spectrum Music's quarterly new release newsletter entered its twenty-first year. We want to thank all of you for your suggestions, gracious comments, and readership through the past twenty years. Our goal to recognize the best choral music published each year will continue through this newsletter, sent via email and posted on the web.
Our "bricks and mortar" store houses not only the music reviewed in each newsletter, but a vast choral browsing library that allows choral directors to peruse and try out music of all genres. In the past, music from each quarterly newsletter has been placed in a notebook and stored in the library. However, through conversations with visitors to the library, it has become clear that the notebook format may not be the best way to look at the recommended music. In the spirit of ease and consistency, we are dismantling the individual newsletter notebooks and organizing the music by subject, in keeping with the rest of the music library. The music will be stored in our standard color-coded boxes but with an additional identifiable side bar label: The Choral Room Newsletter.
The reorganization of this specially recommended music will allow choral directors to review the music by subject and voicing in both sacred and secular categories. This reorganization has been done to help shorten research time as we continue to make available some of the world's best choral music. We hope you will visit us soon, and let other choral professionals know about this great resource. A reminder, too, that we discount choral music from most publishers (10-15% depending on quantities).
New Catalogs
We have begun receiving new releases from two smaller publishers of note: Earthsongs Publications, one of the leading publishers of multicultural choral music, and Alliance Music, which has an excellent selection of challenging, appropriate literature for choruses of all levels (some reviewed below). All octavos have been placed in the new release boxes. We encourage you to come and browse through these wonderful pieces.
New Releases ~ Sacred
Absalom, by Jeffrey Cobb, Latin text, G. Schirmer (Hal Leonard), 50490403, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Difficulty rating 5. $3.95
" Text Source: Old Testament, Latin Requiem Mass
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Sacred Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: This provocative realization of the famous Biblical story of King David and the death of his son Absalom is filled with vocal and metric challenges. The constant meter and tempo changes will require careful study. The text painting is quite profound, displaying an inner turmoil the King must have experienced after learning of the death of his beloved son. Much of the text comes from the Biblical story as set in Latin by Josquin Des Prez, with the remaining text extracted from the traditional Requiem Mass. This powerful 8-1/2 minute anthem requires a large, accomplished choir.Ave Maria, by Imant Raminsh, Latin text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021165, SATB (divisi) & mezzo solo a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
" Text Source: Chapter One, Gospel of St. Luke
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Canadian
" Style: Advent Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: Filled with suspensions and lush harmonies, this is a beautiful new setting of a popular Latin text. The soloist weaves in and out of the a cappella chanting by the chorus, creating a spine-tingling musical atmosphere. Raminsh manages to capture both the old and the new in a timeless manner, with open harmonies in contrast to more complex chords. The soloist must have a warm, rich tone quality that easily penetrates through the dense harmonies.Gloria (from Missa Brevis), by Zoltán Kodály, Latin text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021190, SATB & organ or orchestra. Difficulty rating 4. $1.95
" Text Source: Traditional Latin
" Period and Nationality: 20th C. Hungarian
" Style: Liturgical Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: This Gloria was first published in 1947 as part of a larger extended work for chorus and orchestra. The powerful setting can easily stand alone with organ accompaniment. Composed contrapuntally with many melismatic phrases, the piece is filled with rhythmic challenges and accidentals that constantly change the harmonic landscape. The sopranos must be able to sing a b2 with ease, and an accomplished organist is required.Jesu dulcis memoria (Jesus, sweet memory), by Ivo Antognini, Latin text, Alliance, AMP-0861, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.80
" Text Source: St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Norwegian
" Style: General Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: Filled with major and minor seconds in the divisi voice parts, the basic melodic structure of this fine anthem is based on the original Gregorian chant. The denseness of the harmonies is in sharp contrast to the simplicity of the melodic line. The anthem is a brilliant collaboration of ancient and modern compositional styles that evokes the beauty and glory of peace. The constantly shifting meters add to the challenge. There is no piano reduction included in this edition.
Most Glorious Lord of Life, by John Rutter, English text, Hinshaw, HMC2271, SATB, opt. cong., organ, opt. brass & timpani. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.80
" Text Source: Edmund Spenser (? 1522-1599) and St. John Damascene (c.750), tr. J.M Neale
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. English
" Style: Easter Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: This spirited anthem has unusual meter changes that are quite effective and must be sung at the break-neck tempo of 126 to the quarter note. The rhythms are simply constructed on powerful harmonies dominated by thirds and seconds. The brass parts can be purchased from the publisher; the congregation bulletin insert is included for photocopy at the back of the edition. Although composed for Easter Sunday, this great anthem could be effectively used for a festival concert or evensong.Psalm 8 (Adonai, Adonenu), by Dan Forrest, Hebrew & English text, Hal Leonard, 08754043, SATB (divisi) & piano (opt. violin & djembe). Difficulty rating 3-4. $2.25
" Text Source: Psalm 8:1, 3-4
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Psalm Setting
" Special Music Characteristics: This ethereal Psalm setting was originally composed for SSA voices (HL 08752512) for the ACDA 2011 National Children's Honors Choir conducted by Henry Leck. This expanded version for mixed voices is quite effective, switching back and forth from Hebrew to English with ease. The anthem is filled with chant-like passages on elegant repeated phrase shapes that build in mystery. The piece progresses in harmonic density to a forte and then quietly resolves into a quiet plea for peace. Optional violin and djembe parts, included in the octavo, add a world music flavor to the piece.Same Train, arr. Mark Adamo, English text, G. Schirmer (Hal Leonard), 50490629, SATB a cappella. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.95
" Text Source: Traditional
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Spiritual
" Special Music Characteristics: Adamo has conceived this famous spiritual as the funeral train eventually coming for everyone. To achieve the sound of the train, the composer has cleverly conceived sounds to imitate the locomotive as it comes to pick up the next passenger. This is all done with tongue-in-cheek humor on rhythmic ostinati sung contrapuntally. The choir will have great fun singing this fine spiritual with the "same ch-ch train." The perfect choice for the ending of a concert, a European tour, or festival situation, this will be an absolute audience pleaser.Ubi Caritas, by Imant Raminsh, Latin text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021164, SATB (divisi) a cappella. Difficulty rating 4. $1.90
" Text Source: Anonymous, Liber Usualis
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Canadian
" Style: Maundy Thursday Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: This Lenten anthem is filled with chant-like melodies, changing meters and modal harmonies. The original hymn from 10th century France is very long; this piece sets the three most commonly used verses. This anthem brims with the mystery of tenebrae. The question and answer technique between the lower voice parts is used to great effect, with the sopranos singing a timeless melodic line. This is the perfect choice for an accomplished choir to sing at a Lenten evensong.
Back to Top of PageTREBLE VOICES ~ SACRED
A Hymn for St. Cecilia, by Eleanor Daley, English text, Alliance, AMP-0848, SSA & piano. Difficulty rating 3. $1.90
" Text Source: Ursula Vaughan Williams (1911-2007)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Canadian
" Style: Anthem for St. Cecilia Day (November 23)
" Special Music Characteristics: As always, Daley writes beautifully for treble voices here. Using trumpet-like chords in both the piano and voice parts, the harmonies are quite accessible as they brilliantly paint the text of this fine poem by Ralph Vaughan William's wife, Ursula. The change from D to G Major introduces a more florid section in the piano part, as the voices sing of terror and a "martyr's death." The return to D Major is brief with another florid text setting. The anthem concludes on a spectacular G Major chord that rings on perfectly tuned treble voices.MEN'S VOICES ~ SACRED
O Jesu süss, wer dein gedenkt (O sweet Jesus, who thinks on you), by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1657), German/English text, Alliance, AMP-0864, TBB, keyboard (harpsichord), & cello continuo. Difficulty rating 3. $1.90
" Text Source: German from Johann Armdt's Paradies-Gärtlein, 1612
" Period and Nationality: Early Baroque German
" Style: Motet
" Special Music Characteristics: This anthem is number one in the fourth volume of Geistliche Concerts, published by the composer in 1640. The editor, Daniel A Mahraun, closely follows the original version with the exception of bar lines and interpretation suggestions. The original anthem had eighteen verses. Four verses were selected for this edition on the basis of the English translation, where the texts resemble the German. Elegant counterpoint on simple rhythms dominates the musical gesture.Abide With Me, arr. Moses Hogan, English text, Hal Leonard, 08753674, TTBB (divisi) a cappella. Difficulty rating 3. $1.80
" Text Source: Henry F. Lyte
" Period and Nationality: 20th C. American
" Style: Spiritual
" Special Music Characteristics: Originally arranged for SATB chorus (08703227), this adaptation by Peter A. Eklund is thoughtfully conceived. Set to an original tune by William H. Monk (1861), this popular hymn is found in hymnals throughout the world. Originally arranged in F Major, this adaptation in G Major has been raised to better accommodate men's voices.
SNew Releases ~ Secular In the Night We Shall Go In, by Imant Raminish, English text, Alliance, AMP-0863, SATB (divisi), cello, & piano. Difficulty rating 4. $1.80
" Text Source: Pablo Neruda (translated by Donald D. Walsh)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Canadian
" Style: Tone Poem
" Special Music Characteristics: Mystery dominates the opening of this piece in celebration of flowers and the coming of spring, with the cello playing the major melodic theme. The alto section reiterates the simple melody that quietly describes the night. The piano accompaniment continues the melodic and rhythmic genesis struck by the cello. This anthem is marvelously and quietly descriptive of the "alien garden" where two shadows appear. Spring is so near that the apple trees begin to blossom in "a cascade of fragrant stars." The musical imaging is remarkable in a tone poem sung in various gradations of piano that never exceed a brief mezzo forte. The cello part is available on the back of the publication and can be played by an accomplished amateur cellist.Salutation of the Dawn, by Eleanor Daley, English text, Alliance, AMP-0850, SATB (divisi or double choir) & treble voices a cappella. Difficulty rating 3. $1.80
" Text Source: Sanskrit (4th Century)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Canadian
" Style: Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: The treble chorus opens this fine piece on repeated A1's sung on the word "Listen." The SATB chorus sings lovely block chords with some suspensions to support the children's innocent voices. The double choir part can easily be handled with small forces. The central portion cascades in sheer beauty as the trebles sing over the mixed voices. The repetitious nature of the vocal writing makes this an accessible anthem, where sheer beauty of tone must be achieved. The anthem concludes with the adult treble voices doubling the young choir in three parts, while the men sing in a simple three-part divisi.Voices, by Eric Banks, Greek & English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021181, SSAATTBB a cappella. Difficulty rating 4-5. $2.25
" Text Source: Constantine Cavafy (1904)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Tone Poem
" Special Music Characteristics: Set to a moving poem about lives departed, this poetic realization uses much melodic and rhythmic imitation in its contrapuntal structure. The pronunciation guide and text with IPA translation will help with the Greek diction. The rhythms and intervals are simply conceived, with the music deriving its power through imitative counterpoint. Vocal doublings in the score will shorten the learning curve. The interchange between Greek and English text is eloquently conceived and quite moving. This five-minute work is a fine choice for an accomplished choir or eight-voiced ensemble; no piano reduction is included.EXTENDED WORK
FROM THE HEART, by Daniel Brewbaker, English text, all published separately. This is an excellent set of pieces based on the poetry of Carl Sandburg. All these pieces can be performed separately, but ideally as an extended 19-minute work. All movements require a very good pianist.
I: Great Mother, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019759, SATB (divisi) & piano. Difficulty rating 4. $1.90
" Text Source: Carl Sandburg (from The People, Yes)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Contemporary
" Special Music Characteristics: This first movement celebrates the heartfelt expressions of motherhood and the mother's desire to train her child to reach lifetime goals. The harmonies, which are constantly changing, seem to reach into the future. The counterpoint and melismatic writing are hypnotic and composed in sharp contrast to some powerful homophonic writing. The text painting is glorious with the words sung over a dramatic piano part.II: Let Love Go On, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019752, SATB & piano. Difficulty rating 4. $2.25
" Text Source: Carl Sandburg (from Smoke and Steel)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Contemporary
" Special Music Characteristics: The second movement is clearly composed in two parts, organized in an A-B-A-B-A-B-A format. The A sections, marked Adagio are composed in minor keys that should be sung a cappella. They all speak to the timeless nature of love with the words, "Let Love Go On." These returning sections are more homophonic in nature. The B sections composed in major keys are accompanied. They are filled with more active contrapuntal phrase shapes composed in sharp contrast to the minor sections.III: Crossing Ohio When Poppies Bloom in Ashtabula, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019753, SATB & piano. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
" Text Source: Carl Sandburg (from Good Morning America)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Contemporary
" Special Music Characteristics: This movement is composed in two non-recurring sections. The first is a warning and a blessing to the child off to see the wider world. The second section represents the child's reflection on home, the seasons, and a nurtured youth. "It (the poem) speaks compassionately of the separation in space and time that results between nurturer and nurtured…" The text painting is remarkable in this movement filled with conflicting emotions. The mother's section is filled with long contrapuntal lines over a florid, spirited accompaniment filled with complex harmonies. The child's section is more playful in nature, with the exception of the powerful ending composed divisi on short imitative phrase shapes.IV: To Know Silence Perfectly, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48019755, SATB & piano. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.90
" Text Source: Carl Sandburg (from Good Morning America)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Contemporary
" Special Music Characteristics: Set poignantly, the opening text beautifully reflects the following words, "There is a music, for lonely hearts nearly always." It is very meditative in nature as the composer explores the contrasts of sound and silence. Sung a cappella, the piano part is only used at the opening and in the interludes. The movement is filled with graceful and timeless-sounding counterpoint. It closes softly on a simple C Major chord, uttering the word "music."
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TREBLE VOICES ~ SECULARI Sing, by Mary Goetze, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021167, SSA & piano. Difficulty rating 3. $2.25
" Text Source: Mary Goetze
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Choral Tone Poem
" Special Music Characteristics: Composed for the Columbia Children's Choir, the simple text reflects on the joys of singing. The carefree melody and three-part writing demonstrate a true knowledge of children's voices and their vocal capabilities. The message of "music and wholeness" is a wonderful concept to convey to an intermediate or advanced treble ensemble. The final measures are both spirited and effective, with divisi in the soprano part, as the choir expresses the sentiment, "I will sing to the end of my life."One Sweet Morning, by John Corigliano, English text, G. Schirmer (Hal Leonard), 50490189, SSAA & piano. Difficulty rating 4-5. $1.95
" Text Source: E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Anti-War Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: Corigliano's music is not for the faint-hearted, and this piece is no exception. Composed for the Young People's Chorus of New York, the piece requires an accomplished children's or women's chorus. With references to autumn and "the embers of blossoms and ashes of clover," the text of this poem is powerfully set. Meter and keys signatures are constantly changing, requiring a choir with an excellent sense of pitch. The rhythms are equally challenging, and the interpretation requirements are demanding from beginning to end. The anthem ends quietly with a plea for peace, as the soldiers are buried under the clover.Lazy John, arr. Nancy Boone Allsbrook & Glenda Goodin, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021163, SA & piano (opt. spoons, washboard, and sticks). Difficulty rating 2. $1.90
" Text Source: Traditional Appalachian Folk
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Folksong
" Special Music Characteristics: This amusing Appalachian folksong about love and marriage will delight accomplished treble-voiced ensembles. Reminiscent of Vaughan Williams' amusing unison folksong setting of "The Rich Old Lady" it is truly an American folksong that all children's choirs should know. Arranged mostly in unison, the question and answer sections are cleverly conceived with some simple part writing. The percussion part is included at the back of the score.Let Me Know Beauty, by Allan E. Naplan, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021161, SA (divisi) & piano. Difficulty rating 2-3. $1.90
" Text Source: Allan E. Naplan
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: Festival Anthem
" Special Music Characteristics: Young choirs will love this simple anthem as they learn to sing in parts. The piece begins in unison with everyone singing the accessible melody. The part writing is vocally developing, using straightforward rhythms with no metric changes. The part writing is constructed mostly in thirds, training the choir to learn fine intonation skills. This is a good head tone builder for both parts, with the soprano and alto line composed in occasional divisi.Tembandumba, by Paquito D'Rivera, Spanish text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48021153, SSAA, soprano soloist & claves. Difficulty rating 5. $5.95
" Key: C Major
" Meter: Cut time, 4/4, and 3/2
" Text Source: Luis Pales Matos (Puerto Rican Poet)
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. Cuban
" Style: Shout Song
" Special Music Characteristics: An eight-minute work filled with range, rhythmic and harmonic challenges, this Spanish shout song is startling and showy. Spanish rhythms and harmonies dominate a work that requires an accomplished choir as the conductor works on achieving the proper artistic style. The multi-cultural aspects of the anthem are obvious, with the range and acting demands consistent throughout the score. Stomping and rhythmic dancing make this a show choir piece that will leave the audience breathless. Commissioned by Francesco Nunez, who is known for his adventurous programming, this piece hits the top of that list and should only be programmed with an advanced treble ensemble.
SAB VOICES ~ SECULAR
Eagle Poem, by David L. Brunner, English text, Boosey (Hal Leonard), 48004881, SAB, oboe & piano. Difficulty rating 4. $2.25
" Text Source: Joy Harjo
" Period and Nationality: 21st C. American
" Style: American Indian
" Special Music Characteristics: Another provocative setting of an American Indian text, the simplicity and depth of the poem are carefully realized in this fine piece. The beautiful unisons should be sung to reflect the text, performed with a sincere vocal expression. The piano part weaves between the voices and oboe, creating a sense of open space and a panoramic atmosphere associated with Native Americans.
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Difficulty 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
To order any of the music in this newsletter contact:
Spectrum Music
1844B Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Phone: 781 862-0088
Fax: 781 861-1335
info@spectrum-music.com