SKU: MN.50-9069

UPC: 688670590696.

Spiritual. Maintains simple beauty and flowing melody of gospel hymn, HOLY QUIETNESS, while developing contrasting theme in accompaniment and varying key and vocal parts for each stanza. Appropriate introduction of traditional gospel hymnody to choirs/congregations.

SKU: HL.1311614

UPC: 196288177470. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches.

“Where Quiet plays alone, sits and dreams, falls asleep.” Craig Mason took this brilliant text and set it to equally brilliant music, understanding the personification of “Quiet” that was artistically crafted in the poem. The reviews are in - this is an exceptionally strong choice for any a cappella choir!

SKU: BT.PMC3603

Four poems sharing a common motif of 'Night' provide the texts for my choral cycle Nocturnes, the American Choral Directors Association's commissioned work for its 2005 national convention. For Rilke's atmospheric Sa nuit d'ete,several melodic themes are supported by dense, colorful harmonies in both the choral and piano parts, leading to a climactic section where all are combined and stated simultaneously. Neruda's Soneto de la Noche, from his CienSonetos de Amor, speaks of an eternal love that transcends death while reaffirming life. My a cappella setting of this gorgeous poem is predominantly quiet, serene and folk-like, utilizing direct harmonies accompanying long,lyrical vocal lines. Agee's wondrous Sure on this Shining Night is set much like a song from the American musical theater, a genre for which I have held a life-long esteem. Rilke's poignant Voici le soir recalls the opening bellsounds and jazz-tinged chords of the first movement and serves as an epilogue, quietly concluding this cycle of night songs as darkness descends. --Morten Lauridsen.