SKU: SU.32040041
Baritone Voice & Piano Duration: 17' Composed: 2014 Published by: Amy Mills Music, LLC These three art songs can be performed independently or in sequence, at any time of the year. Stuart McAlpine’s profound text explores three men from the Christmas story, Joseph, the Inn-keeper, and Simeon. The creative and beautiful musical settings allow for powerfully dramatic interpretation and performance. To Joseph (who taught me how to look at art) The singer sings to Joseph, …you beheld a work of art, the making of a holy heart… and watching through Joseph’s eyes, when hung at last, its meaning was decreed. (4:40) The Inn-keeper’s Lament McAlpine brilliantly explores the possibility…what if the inn-keeper who turned away Mary & Joseph later became the inn-keeper who accepted the injured man brought in by the Good Samaritan? This powerfully dramatic piece depicts the Bethlehem inn-keeper’s bravado, Caeser’s decree was heaven sent, as guests raised glasses, I raised rent! But as the enormity of his mistake became apparent, in later years he bemoans, …if I’d known then what I know now… and finally declares at the end, I know now! (7:50) Simeon’s Last Prayer Simeon sings of being summoned to the temple where he holds his infant Savior. …then as grandfathers do, rejoiced as if he were my one-and-only too. As he leaves he whispers his final prayer, …dismiss your servant, to find You face-to-face. (4:30) Difficulty Level: Baritone/Mezzo-Soprano 6 (Professional) (Baritone Range: low A (optional low G) to high F# (optional high G,A) (Mezzo Range: low A (optional low G) to high G (optional high A) Piano 6 (Professional)(Same level as Debussy or Ravel) See also the version for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano See composer website for audio sample.
SKU: ST.Y329
ISBN 9790220224553.
In her song-set for baritone and piano A Swift Radiant Morning, Rhian Samuel, a noted contemporary composer of English song, has created a portrait in words and music of the young poet Charles Hamilton Sorley (1895-1915). Robert Graves described Sorley's death - at the Battle of Loos - as among the three most significant amongst poets in the First World War (the others being Wilfred Owen and Isaac Rosenberg). The five songs are 'Rooks', 'The Sounds of War', 'The Signpost', 'In Memoriam', and 'Earth's King'. The composer offers in the last song a celebration of Sorley's life, and a testament to his enduring legacy. A Swift Radiant Morning was commissioned by the Three Choirs Festival, Hereford, 2015, for a first performance by Roderick Williams, baritone, and Susie Allan, piano, at Holy Trinity Church, Hereford, on 25 July 2015. CONTENTS 1 Rooks 2 The Sounds of War 3 The Signpost 4 In Memoriam 5 Earth's King.
