SKU: BT.HU-4349-250

9x12 inches. German.

The poetry on which this composition is based is the Ballad of External Life (the Ballade des äußeren Lebens) from the pen of Viennese author Hugo von Hofmansthal (1874-1929). He is known for, amongst other things, his libretti for the works of Richard Strauss (Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos, Elektra) and as founder of the Salzburg Festival. Von Hofmansthal was one of the last of the German Symbolists. Central to this literary movement was the unification of the internal and external worlds. The search for meaning was a cornerstone of this fin-de-siècle movement.In the Ballade des äußeren Lebens (Ballad of External Life), the meaninglessness ofexistence is expressed in restricting, oppressive metaphors—an ambience that is reflected in the music. Ultimately, man is capable of establishing order from seeming chaos. The poet expresses this powerfully in a non-rhyming line of poetry: ‘And yet, he who says “evening” says much, A word, from which profundity and sorrow flow’.This composition follows the overall structure of the ballad, which is written in terza rima—interlocking three-line rhymes.The choral work can be performed by a chamber choir, but also by a much larger ensemble. The parts are mainly in four voices (SATB), although there are also six parts (SAATBB). One chord is arranged for eight voices.The composer conducted this work at its première, to open the 2013 International Choir Biennial in Aachen. The choir was comprised of four chamber choirs: Aachen Youth Choir, Carmina Mundi, Aachen Chamber Choir and Aachen Madrigal Choir.

Het dichtwerk waarop deze compositie is gebaseerd, de Ballade des äußeren Lebens (Ballade van het uiterlijke leven), is geschreven door de in Wenen geboren schrijver Hugo von Hoffmansthal (1874-1929), die onder meer bekend is als librettist van Richard Strauss (Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos, Elektra) en medeoprichter was van de Salzburger Festspiele. Von Hoffmansthal behoorde tot de laatste vertegenwoordigers van het Duitse symbolisme. Deze stroming stelde zich ten doel de innerlijke en uiterlijke wereld met elkaar te verenigen. Zingeving vormde een van de hoofdthematieken binnen deze fin de siècle-cultuur.In de Ballade des äußeren Lebens wordt dezinloosheid van het bestaan verwoord in beklemmende metaforen - een atmosfeer die in de muziek wordt weerspiegeld. Uiteindelijk blijkt de mens toch in staat te zijn orde te scheppen in de schijnbare willekeur. De dichter benadrukt dit in zijn enige versregel zonder rijm: Und dennoch sagt der viel, der “Abend” sagt. De compositie volgt in hoofdlijnen de structuur van de ballade, die in terzinen is opgebouwd.Het werk kan worden uitgevoerd door kamerkoor, maar ook door een veel grotere bezetting. De zetting is voornamelijk vierstemmig (SATB), maar er zijn tevens zesstemmige delen (SAATBB). Een enkel akkoord is zelfs achtstemmig.Het werk ging onder leiding van de componist tijdens de Internationale Chorbiennale Aachen 2013 als openingswerk in première. Het koor was samengesteld uit vier kamerkoren: Der Junge Chor Aachen, Carmina Mundi, Aachener Kammerchor en Der Madrigalchor Aachen.

Die Dichtung, auf welcher diese Komposition basiert, ist die Ballade des äußeren Lebens aus der Feder des gebürtigen Wiener Schriftstellers Hugo von Hoffmansthal (1874-1929), der unter anderem als Librettist von Richard Strauss (Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos, Elektra) und Mitbegründer der Salzburger Festspiele bekannt ist. Von Hoffmansthal gehörte zu den letzten Vertretern des Deutschen Symbolismus. Diese literarische Richtung machte sich zur Aufgabe, die innere und die äußere Welt miteinander zu vereinen. Sinngebung bildete eine der Hauptthematiken innerhalb dieser Fin-de-Siècle-Strömung.In der Ballade des äußeren Lebens wird die Sinnlosigkeitdes Daseins in beklemmenden Metaphern formuliert - eine Atmosphäre, die sich in der Musik widerspiegelt. Letztendlich scheint der Mensch doch imstande zu sein, Ordnung in der scheinbaren Willkür zu schaffen. Der Dichter betont dies nachdrücklich in der einzigen Verszeile ohne Reim: Und dennoch sagt der viel, der Abend“ sagt. Die Komposition folgt in ihren Hauptzügen der Struktur der Ballade, die in Terzinen geschrieben ist.Das Chorwerk kann von einem Kammerchor, aber auch von einem viel größeren Ensemble aufgeführt werden. Der Satz ist hauptsächlich vierstimmig (SATB), aber es gibt auch sechsstimmige Teile (SAATBB). Ein einzelner Akkord ist gar achtstimmig.Das Werk ging unter der Leitung des Komponisten während der Internationalen Chorbiennale Aachen 2013 als Eröffnungswerk in Premiere. Der Chor setzte sich aus vier Kammerchören zusammen: Der Junge Chor Aachen, Carmina Mundi, der Aachener Kammerchor und der Madrigalchor Aachen.

SKU: HL.1437387

UPC: 196288204558.

Looking for something different for Christmas or Winter Concert? Try this moving and exciting setting of The Woods - (Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening), by Randy Jordan, for SSAATTBB choir, keyboard, and cello. The picture of the snow covered woods comes to life in this rendition, invoking images of the quiet, and yet majestic awe of the scene. This setting is sure to challenge the intermediate/advanced choir, but they will be rewarded with an emotional tour of one of the most iconic poems of all time, down to the very last sounds of sleigh bells slowly vanishing in the distance.

SKU: AP.43592

UPC: 038081491325. English.

A unison pitch becomes a cluster chord and then blossoms into full contemporary choral harmony. Ample text painting, passing dissonance, and sensitive tempo and dynamic changes make this an excellent choice for accomplished choirs.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: PL.0122

This imaginative setting of words by John White Chadwick creates a feeling of eternal strength from its constant musical flow. Peter Pindar Stearns is well known for his sensitivity to text and choir alike and this anthem reflects his keen imagination as well. The first verse is set in unison with a lovely soaring melody while the second verse supports the melody in four-part writing. A brief organ interlude ensues before the final verse which is for two part women and men's voices concluding in a spirit of unity.

Peter Pindar Stearns has surpassed even my highest expectations for him with his Eternal Ruler, a tribute to Edwardian and post-Edwardian hymn anthems. Where to begin? Imagine the finest, broadest melody Gustav Holst could write, add the impassioned fervor of Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn or Stanford in B-flat, and hold all that together with Stearns's ultimate integrity and infallible taste. Every time I play and sing through this, it leaves me in tears, and I haven't even mentioned the amazing subtlety of Stearns's harmony, the genius of his part writing, and the overwhleming sweep of his lines. This is gorgeous, glorious music. - Dr. John Hooker AAM Journal November 2001.

SKU: HP.C5890C

UPC: 763628958909. Mary Kay Beall. Scripture: Luke 1:26, Luke 1:27, Luke 1:28, Luke 1:29, Luke 1:30, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33, Luke 1:34, Luke 1:35, Luke 1:36, Luke 1:37, Luke 1:38, Luke 2:8, Luke 2:9, Luke 2:10, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:12, Luke 2:13, Luke 2:14, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:14.

Original anthem From Mary Kay Beall and John Carter, this inspired ballad depicts the involvement and protection the angels provided from the very beginning of the Christmas story. From a place of peace and promise to a world of war and woe, Jesus came that winter evening, came to save us long ago. A quote from Of the Father's Love Begotten brings a hint of the familiar into this rich musical offering.