SKU: MN.CH-1294

Be Joyful started life as the third movement of a larger piece for Chorus and Orchestra calledFlowers. This movement has such a delightful use of 7/8 that it gives the singers a charge to work on it. It became ome of thosealways humming it themes of the work. I have kept it cast for 4 voices, albeit SSAA now instead of the original SATB and I have adapted the orchestral accompaniment for piano. Probably the most important aspect of performing this piece is to keep the tempo going, and emphasize the thematic entrances as they shift from voice to voice. The poetry is by the Mesoamerican poet Nezahualcoyotl (1402-1472), one of the most prominent poets of the period who seems to have been keenly aware of time and change, cabuitl in Nahuatl, orthat which leaves us. Everything in tlalticpac,on the earth, is transitory. It appears here for a while but then withdraws and vanishes forever.

SKU: MN.CAP-03

Suitable for Childrens Chorus. Text by the composer: On the way to Bethlehem I saw a star glowing.

SKU: MN.CH-1355

UPC: 765844006280. Latin.

Having performed Maurice Duruflé's Messe Cum Julilo for men's voices and organ many times I always thought it would be fitting to write a similar mass, but for women's voices and organ. As in the Duruflé work, Missa Lux et origo is based on Gregorian Chant. Sometimes the vocal line follows the chant exactly, at others it deviates but always in the style of... keeping the Gregorian character throughout. I am pleased that the premiere performance is to be conducted by Jeannine Wagner, daughter of the famed Roger Wagner, at whose feet I learned what I know of Gregorian Chant. -Dale Jergenson.