SKU: CA.926400

ISBN 9790007261870. French. Text: Victor Hugo.

In his poem Soiree en mer, Victor Hugo describes how the sea can be perceived very differently by two lovers at the same time in the same place. While the man perceives the deepening shadows on the dancing waves, the woman marvels at the stars shining ever brighter in the firmament. In nature, as in the words of the poem, the painful ambiguity that represents life at its core can be experienced. Like no other poet, Hugo captures this almost unbearable simultaneity of living and dying, of love and suffering. Saint-Saens translates this into music - probably the most ephemeral and contemporary of all art forms. His balanced musical form leaves plenty of room for the poetry and his subtle variations in timbre, which also inspired Denis Rouger to his choral arrangement, create a seething motion under the surface of the sea.

This art song was originally composed not for chamber choir, but for solo voice and piano. Denis Rouger has carefully adapted it to suit the requirements and expressive possibilities offered by a larger ensemble, without losing any of the qualities of the original in the process. Each part in the choir has a melodic line drawn from the harmonic and rhythmic framework. In the process, the variety and refinement of the choral language combines with an enormous flexibility in form and expression, as French melodies or German art song demand from a soloist and pianist. The songs have been recorded by the figure humaine chamber choir on the CD ...wo die Ztronen bluhn (Carus 83.514).

SKU: MN.56-0035

UPC: 688670220401. English. Psalms 119:18, 33-5.

Selected verses of Psalm 119 are set for SSATB voices and organ. Unexpectedly, the music is rhythmic and angular, yet still lyrical. This piece would be a memorable one for any accomplished ensemble. The organ part is a non-stop tour de force and requires a very capable player. The choral parts are also a bit challenging in spots. The combined effect is worth it and we think your choir and your listeners will acclaim the results.

SKU: HL.125013

UPC: 884088986506. 6.75x10.5 inches.

A well-known text set by a veteran composer who knows how to make it singularly superior. The melody is immediately entrancing, a middle section introduces a high church chant-like, liturgical sound, then the melody resumes and brings us home. The passionate lyrics, although from scripture, make it appropriate for church and concert use.

SKU: M2.MOS-81177

ISBN 9790203796770.

SKU: PR.332401420

UPC: 680160054176. Key: C minor.

SKU: MN.50-1137

UPC: 688670511370. English.

A lilting choral accompaniment evokes pizzicato sounds surrounding the tenor melody in verse one.  The other verses are set more conventionally but still reflect the goals of our Christmas with The Singers series: that the audience will enjoy the famliarity of the carol but be enchanted by the creativity of the arrangement. Challenging, but masterful in how Matthew Culloton treats the ensemble as a self-sufficient choral idiom. Duration 2:30.