SKU: FG.55011-858-4

Chant des Voyelles - Incantation of Vowels (2018) for mixed choir (SSAATTBB) was premiered by Volti on May 4, 2018 at Noe Vallay Ministry in San Francisco and on May 6, 2018 at BAMPFA, in Berkeley, California.

MartinaitytÄ— encountered at the Rockefeller estate Kykuit near New York City a work by the cubist sculptor Jacques Lipchitz called Chant des Voyelles . It was titled after an Egyptian prayer composed only of vowels that was designed to subdue the forces of nature. Further research showed that many ancient traditions (Egyptians, Greeks and Tibetans) ascribed sacred, mystical and healing powers and significance to vowels. The details might vary in different traditions, yet it is clear that something miraculous happens through the very act of prolonged repetition of certain vowels - whether in the form of a mantra or prayer or as a self-healing ritual.

This work experiments with subtly shifting, sometimes barely audible clouds of overtones resulting from the sustaining of certain vowels in multiple voices in a magical way.

Duration: 16-17'

The works of New York -based Lithuanian composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė (b. 1973) have been lauded as breathtaking and profoundly moving. Her stimulating music bristles with energy and tension and revolves often around the subject of beauty, which she calls both a guiding principle and an aesthetic measure for sonic quality.

SKU: CA.4019605

ISBN 9790007064877. Language: German.

The Christmas oratorio Die Geburt Christi op. 90 was first performed in 1894 in the St. Thomas Church in Strassburg and today it has been rediscovered. It is the first of a trio of so-called church oratorios by Brahms's friend, Heinrich von Herzogenberg. It was followed by Die Passion op. 93 and Erntefeier op. 104, all of which have been published by Carus in reprints of earlier editions. With these works which are partly neo-baroque, partly late romantic choral works, Herzogenberg commits himself to a new form of the Protestant worship service characterized by a high artistic level, but still near to the congregation. Allowing the choir to be accompanied by instruments outside the closed liturgical form of the service goes back to a concept of the theologian from Strasbourg, Friedrich Spitta. Since Christmas was a good occasion for the choir to perform independently, Spitta decided to put together the text for a Christmas oratorio and to commission Herzogenberg to realize it musically. Score available separately - see item CA.4019600.

SKU: HL.1295437

ISBN 9798350106459. UPC: 196288170211. 6.75x10.5 inches.

What a surprising idea using the Pierpont melody of “Jingle Bells” to create a beautifully warm setting for winter concerts. The text describes a scene of nature sleeping and dreaming beneath a blanket of snow set to simple yet rich harmonies with a touch of “sleep in heavenly peace” near the end. Exquisite.

SKU: CA.967000

ISBN 9790007181727. Text language: English.

Since the release of his first two compositions, works by the young American Daniel Elder have won many prizes. Elder has set an erotic and sensuous text from the Song of Songs in this composition for four-part choir (without divisi). Although the metaphor of the uniqueness of the beloved like an apple tree between the trees in a forest has often been set, Elder succeeds in finding a completely individual, tender musical language for this text. The work is also easy for amateur choirs to sing: all the parts have cantabile lines in comfortable registers. This could become a very popular piece for church choirs to sing at weddings as well as in concerts. Elder creates a peaceful, intimate atmosphere, with vocal parts which are independent, singable and linear, frequently writing in passages with thirds or sixths. The setting is harmonic in style. However, the piece never descends into saccharine or kitsch, as there are brief flashes of dissonance, sparingly used unexpected alterations, and diminished chords.

SKU: AP.48383

UPC: 038081552064. English.

You'll never think of the popular potluck side dish the same way again! This quirky song originally appeared in the 1944 MGM musical Broadway Rhythm. Kirby's authentic arrangement retains the characteristic sound and style of the time period, including bright jazz harmonies and swing rhythms. An add-on section near the end introduces a whole picnic of musical goodies before packing it up for a big finish!

About Alfred Pop Choral Series

The Alfred Pop Series features outstanding arrangements of songs from the popular music genre. These publications provide exciting, contemporary, and educationally-sound arrangements for singers of all ages, from elementary through high school, to college and adult choirs.

SKU: FG.042-08399-4

ISBN 979-0-042-08399-4.

Never Again is an exploration of choral sound fields in two contrasting settings of the same wistful text by the English pre-modernist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928). In the first movement the fields are built around a phonetic breakdown of the text, while in the second the text is treated more conventionally but is distributed linearly between the voices. Published in the Chorus series (Ch 101).

SKU: XC.SATB2205A

9 x 6 inches.

Commissioned by the Polk County Florida Public Schools, The Marigold is the result of a long-standing tradition of Florida teachers and students who integrate the Marigold Effect. Marigolds are planted near other plants to ward off disease and pests, thus allowing the plant to be nurtured and to survive. The same idea is replicated within people. We should surround ourselves with people who help nurture and encourage. Opportunities to recite verbal words of affirmation and encouragement are included in the song. This is appropriate for middle school through adult choirs.

SKU: PL.0105

This setting of Psalm 67 has a lovely flowing quality in its opening. The modal sound is reminiscent of chant as is the use of the center of each voice for heightened expressivity of the text. The centerpiece of this work is the energetic setting of Let the peoples praise thee, O God. Its homophonic style contrasts with the linear writing of the opening.