SKU: HL.35032266

ISBN 9781540027177. UPC: 888680746766. 5.0x5.0x0.15 inches. Joseph M. Martin/Heather Sorenson.

The Christmas story is told with fresh perspective in this collaborative cantata from Joseph Martin and Heather Sorenson. Throughout time, God has touched and motivated hearts through dreams and visions. Christmas Dreams visits these moments in scripture and connects the experiences of ancient times with our modern journey of faith, pointing to Christ, in whose birth the hopes, yearnings and dreams of all the world are fulfilled. Using traditional carols, newly composed seasonal selections and thoughtful narration, this rich work delivers a tapestry of sound and emotion. Share this cantata with your people and help them discover God's graceful touch in their lives! Songs include: Christmas Dreams Overture; Advent Dreams; The Promise and the Prayer; A New Morning of Promise; Zechariah's Song; Mary's Dream; All Through the Night; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; The Magi's Epiphany; Christmas Dreams; A Gentle Christmas Blessing.

SKU: PR.416413710

ISBN 9781598068214. UPC: 680160587162. 9x12 inches.

Needham's original intent with Chamber Symphony was to encapsulate the 2008 presidential election, from the Democratic primaries to the historic general election campaign and win of Barack Obama. But, says Needham, In the midst of the general election circus, I decided to broaden my inspiration and have the work's overall goal focus on the larger ideas of hope and transformation. Chamber Symphony was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra with generous support of Paul Underwood. Additional support was from the National Endowment for the Arts.
I originally envisioned a work inspired by the political landscape of the 2008 presidential election, focusing primarily on the hard-fought Democratic Primary race. I was fascinated by the historic and hopeful spirit that both the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns embodied. Sometime later, in the midst of the general election circus, I decided to broaden my inspiration and have the work’s overall goal focus on the larger ideas of hope and transformation. Chamber Symphony is constructed in three movements (played without pause): I. Hammering Out, II. Open-ended Echoes, and III. Radiant Nation. The titles suggest a general atmosphere that each movement attempts to express. The outer movements, both quick in tempo, act as the antithesis of each other in terms of mood. “Hammering Out” employs an aggressive, relentless, pounding beat that frequently shifts, often emphasized with metallic sounds. “Radiant Nation” is much lighter and more optimistic in tone, and uses an up-beat groove throughout the movement. The middle movement, “Open-ended Echoes,” is the proverbial calm after the storm. Unlike the outer movements, “Open-ended Echoes” is almost void of any strong sense of pulse. The movement attempts to create a peaceful, contemplative mood that transforms the volatile nature of the first movement tothe radiant spirit of the last. Chamber Symphony was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra for its Orchestra Underground Series with the generous support of Paul Underwood. Additional support for the ACO’s Emerging Composers Program comes from the National Endowment for the Arts.— November 5, 2008.