SKU: EC.9236
UPC: 600313492365. English.
From the Titration choral song cycle, this movement explores the how, as individuals, we respond to societal challenges. This is one of the more accessible movements in a challenging, yet rewarding cycle.
SKU: ST.CN26P
ISBN 9790220225390.
Richard Bullen's 'dark lullaby' The Oxen was commissioned by Choir & Organ magazine for the choir of St Paul's Cathedral, and it was featured in the September 2016 issue as part of the New Music series showcasing choral works by young composers. Although lilting rhythms evoke a mood of naivety and innocence, of children gathered in hushed excitement around the fireside on Christmas Eve as pictured in the first verse of Hardy's well-known poem, there is also an edge to the music that reflects its nostalgic, even bitter content. First published in The Times on 24 December 1915, this seasonal lyric can also be read as a lament for loss of innocence and of the simple urge to faith. We might also find in its reflection on the distance between the ideals of civilisation and its reality, a tragic separation that continues to this day. Part of the subtle resonance of the poem is its conversational manner. Each voice should therefore be phrased flexibly and feelingly in its contribution to the discourse, while the tempi should be judiciously chosen to enhance this overall effect according to the prevailing acoustic.
SKU: CF.CM9608
ISBN 9781491154304. UPC: 680160912803. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: E major. English. Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892).
The beauty in Alfred, Lord Tennysons poem is reflected by the music with the use of text painting. The piano creates the sound of moving water in m. 19, providing the first instance of text painting. When the men enter, they continue this idea of the ocean tide while the descent into the word deep in m. 27 gives another instance of text painting. Take advantage of the minor second suspension on the word dark in m. 38 in order to achieve a feeling of suspense. The entrance at m. 41 is full, and while still minor, the text gives us hope for a change. The change comes in m. 45 with the staggered entrances creating a sense of building and ascent until the climax of this moment at m. 47 on the word embark, which is to be an ascent to Heaven. The melody moves between voice parts, even as early as m. 14 where the altos have the melody for only a single measure; it is then handed back to the sopranos. From mm. 5764, the altos trade the melody back and forth with the sopranos. Take note that the alto melody should be brought out, but the line does not actually begin until the word when. Lastly, be intentional with syllabic stress (no two eighth notes or quarter notes alike) and to give direction to any note longer than a quarter. I hope you enjoy learning and performing Crossing the Bar as much as I enjoyed writing it. ~Jamey Ray.The beauty in Alfred, Lord Tennysonas poem is reflected by the music with the use of text painting. The piano creates the sound of moving water in m.A 19, providing the first instance of text painting. When the men enter, they continue this idea of the ocean tide while the descent into the word adeepa in m. 27 gives another instance of text painting. Take advantage of the minor second suspension on the word adarka in m. 38 in order to achieve a feeling of suspense. The entrance at m. 41 is full, and while still minor, the text gives us hope for a change. The change comes in m. 45 with the staggered entrances creating a sense of building and ascent until the climax of this moment at m. 47 on the word aembark,a which is to be an ascent to Heaven. The melody moves between voice parts, even as early as m. 14 where the altos have the melody for only a single measure; it is then handed back to the sopranos. From mm. 57a64, the altos trade the melody back and forth with the sopranos. Take note that the alto melody should be brought out, but the line does not actually begin until the word awhen.a Lastly, be intentional with syllabic stress (no two eighth notes or quarter notes alike) and to give direction to any note longer than a quarter. I hope you enjoy learning and performing Crossing the Bar as much as I enjoyed writing it. ~Jamey Ray.The beauty in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem is reflected by the music with the use of text painting. The piano creates the sound of moving water in m. 19, providing the first instance of text painting. When the men enter, they continue this idea of the ocean tide while the descent into the word deep in m. 27 gives another instance of text painting. Take advantage of the minor second suspension on the word dark in m. 38 in order to achieve a feeling of suspense. The entrance at m. 41 is full, and while still minor, the text gives us hope for a change. The change comes in m. 45 with the staggered entrances creating a sense of building and ascent until the climax of this moment at m. 47 on the word embark, which is to be an ascent to Heaven. The melody moves between voice parts, even as early as m. 14 where the altos have the melody for only a single measure; it is then handed back to the sopranos. From mm. 57-64, the altos trade the melody back and forth with the sopranos. Take note that the alto melody should be brought out, but the line does not actually begin until the word when. Lastly, be intentional with syllabic stress (no two eighth notes or quarter notes alike) and to give direction to any note longer than a quarter. I hope you enjoy learning and performing Crossing the Bar as much as I enjoyed writing it. ~Jamey Ray.The beauty in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem is reflected by the music with the use of text painting. The piano creates the sound of moving water in m. 19, providing the first instance of text painting. When the men enter, they continue this idea of the ocean tide while the descent into the word deep in m. 27 gives another instance of text painting. Take advantage of the minor second suspension on the word dark in m. 38 in order to achieve a feeling of suspense. The entrance at m. 41 is full, and while still minor, the text gives us hope for a change. The change comes in m. 45 with the staggered entrances creating a sense of building and ascent until the climax of this moment at m. 47 on the word embark, which is to be an ascent to Heaven. The melody moves between voice parts, even as early as m. 14 where the altos have the melody for only a single measure; it is then handed back to the sopranos. From mm. 57-64, the altos trade the melody back and forth with the sopranos. Take note that the alto melody should be brought out, but the line does not actually begin until the word when. Lastly, be intentional with syllabic stress (no two eighth notes or quarter notes alike) and to give direction to any note longer than a quarter. I hope you enjoy learning and performing Crossing the Bar as much as I enjoyed writing it. ~Jamey Ray.The beauty in Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem is reflected by the music with the use of text painting. The piano creates the sound of moving water in m. 19, providing the first instance of text painting. When the men enter, they continue this idea of the ocean tide while the descent into the word “deep†in m. 27 gives another instance of text painting.Take advantage of the minor second suspension on the word “dark†in m. 38 in order to achieve a feeling of suspense. The entrance at m. 41 is full, and while still minor, the text gives us hope for a change. The change comes in m. 45 with the staggered entrances creating a sense of building and ascent until the climax of this moment at m. 47 on the word “embark,†which is to be an ascent to Heaven.The melody moves between voice parts, even as early as m. 14 where the altos have the melody for only a single measure; it is then handed back to the sopranos. From mm. 57–64, the altos trade the melody back and forth with the sopranos. Take note that the alto melody should be brought out, but the line does not actually begin until the word “when.â€Lastly, be intentional with syllabic stress (no two eighth notes or quarter notes alike) and to give direction to any note longer than a quarter.I hope you enjoy learning and performing Crossing the Bar as much as I enjoyed writing it.~Jamey Ray.
SKU: PR.312418770
ISBN 9781491138120. UPC: 680160640195. Second April, by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Second April for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ewazen has long been enamored with her poetry's wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery of nature and emotions, and its powerful and profound meaning. The first movement, SONG OF A SECOND APRIL is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a surprise Picardy Third in the final chord – suggesting a bit of hope!.SECOND APRIL for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I have long been enamored with the poetry of Millay for its wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery, and its often powerful and profound meaning. Millay’s descriptions of nature, and of feelings and emotions, have always spoken to me. SECOND APRIL consists of four of her poems, each with a distinctive mood, message, and emotional feel. They are vivid, powerful, and beautiful, inspiring me to capture these descriptions of the various scenes she portrays. Song of a Second April uses music to underlie strong feelings, passions, and the tragedies of life. The poem itself is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, and with rapid, spinning notes creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Melodies, motives, and gestures are tossed between the voices, increasing the feelings of intensity and even desperation. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a Picardy Third in the final chord – maybe a bit of hope! Mariposa is a celebration of nature, wandering through a field with white and blue butterflies appearing almost wondrously. But there’s also a profound feeling of poignancy, noting that as one relishes such a beautiful, magical sight, they should embrace the experience – the fleeting, transient nature of such a perfect vision and of life itself. The music portrays the flying of the butterflies: gentle, beautiful, with rich chords and arpeggios, but stepping back, as the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, but sombre chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.Alms is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is also in minor, yet with moments of playfulness, as a recollection of happy times or moments takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, as the music continues to “dance.” And with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. Into the Golden Vessel of Great Song is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music is full of bright and lilting energy; but as the turmoil and times of strife people can sometimes feel or experience, the music becomes intense, dramatic, in a minor key, and with changing rhythms. BUT, there is a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, and the music is in major, resonant and strong. .
SKU: CF.CM9740
ISBN 9781491161203. UPC: 680160919789. Key: Bb major. English. Siegfried Sasson.
Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom... These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the Great War finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he was feeling dull-minded and depressed. Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent. One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to. The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality. The appearance of suddenly in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush. There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet's bold choices of action words - burst, winging, and shaken. Then there's alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance. Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11) Find/freedom (measure 21-22) Winging/wildly (measure 23) Setting/sun (measures 47-49) Was/wordless (measures 65-75) Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text. And just as O is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting - in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder - ...O, but Everyone Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will Never be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about. May the singing never be done.Everyone suddenly burst out singingAnd I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom…These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the “Great War†finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he “was feeling dull-minded and depressed.†Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent.One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to. The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality.The appearance of “suddenly†in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush.There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet’s bold choices of action words – burst, winging, and shaken.Then there’s alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance.Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11)Find/freedom (measure 21-22)Winging/wildly (measure 23)Setting/sun (measures 47-49)Was/wordless (measures 65-75)Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text. And just as “O†is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting – in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder –…O, but EveryoneWas a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing willNever be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about.May the singing never be done.
SKU: PR.312418800
ISBN 9781491138151. UPC: 680160640225. Second April, by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Second April for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ewazen has long been enamored with her poetry's wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery of nature and emotions, and its powerful and profound meaning. The final movement, INTO THE GOLDEN VESSEL OF GREAT SONG is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music contrasts turmoil and times of strife with a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, with the closing music in major, resonant and strong. .SECOND APRIL for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I have long been enamored with the poetry of Millay for its wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery, and its often powerful and profound meaning. Millay’s descriptions of nature, and of feelings and emotions, have always spoken to me. SECOND APRIL consists of four of her poems, each with a distinctive mood, message, and emotional feel. They are vivid, powerful, and beautiful, inspiring me to capture these descriptions of the various scenes she portrays. Song of a Second April uses music to underlie strong feelings, passions, and the tragedies of life. The poem itself is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, and with rapid, spinning notes creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Melodies, motives, and gestures are tossed between the voices, increasing the feelings of intensity and even desperation. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a Picardy Third in the final chord – maybe a bit of hope! Mariposa is a celebration of nature, wandering through a field with white and blue butterflies appearing almost wondrously. But there’s also a profound feeling of poignancy, noting that as one relishes such a beautiful, magical sight, they should embrace the experience – the fleeting, transient nature of such a perfect vision and of life itself. The music portrays the flying of the butterflies: gentle, beautiful, with rich chords and arpeggios, but stepping back, as the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, but sombre chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.Alms is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is also in minor, yet with moments of playfulness, as a recollection of happy times or moments takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, as the music continues to “dance.” And with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. Into the Golden Vessel of Great Song is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music is full of bright and lilting energy; but as the turmoil and times of strife people can sometimes feel or experience, the music becomes intense, dramatic, in a minor key, and with changing rhythms. BUT, there is a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, and the music is in major, resonant and strong. .
SKU: PR.312418790
ISBN 9781491138144. UPC: 680160640218. Second April, by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Second April for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ewazen has long been enamored with her poetry's wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery of nature and emotions, and its powerful and profound meaning. The third movement, ALMS is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is primarily minor, yet with moments of playfulness, the recollection of happy times takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, and with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. .Program Notes by Eric EwazenSECOND APRIL for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I have long been enamored with the poetry of Millay for its wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery, and its often powerful and profound meaning. Millay’s descriptions of nature, and of feelings and emotions, have always spoken to me. SECOND APRIL consists of four of her poems, each with a distinctive mood, message, and emotional feel. They are vivid, powerful, and beautiful, inspiring me to capture these descriptions of the various scenes she portrays. Song of a Second April uses music to underlie strong feelings, passions, and the tragedies of life. The poem itself is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, and with rapid, spinning notes creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Melodies, motives, and gestures are tossed between the voices, increasing the feelings of intensity and even desperation. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a Picardy Third in the final chord – maybe a bit of hope! Mariposa is a celebration of nature, wandering through a field with white and blue butterflies appearing almost wondrously. But there’s also a profound feeling of poignancy, noting that as one relishes such a beautiful, magical sight, they should embrace the experience – the fleeting, transient nature of such a perfect vision and of life itself. The music portrays the flying of the butterflies: gentle, beautiful, with rich chords and arpeggios, but stepping back, as the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, but sombre chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.Alms is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is also in minor, yet with moments of playfulness, as a recollection of happy times or moments takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, as the music continues to “dance.” And with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. Into the Golden Vessel of Great Song is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music is full of bright and lilting energy; but as the turmoil and times of strife people can sometimes feel or experience, the music becomes intense, dramatic, in a minor key, and with changing rhythms. BUT, there is a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, and the music is in major, resonant and strong. .
© 2000 - 2024 Home - New realises - Composers Legal notice - Full version
