Chamber Ensemble; Tenor
(Score & Parts)
SKU:
HL.49045281
Tenor,
Chamber Choir, Organ,
Harp, Trumpet, Cello.
Composed by Alvin
Singleton. This edition:
Saddle stitching. Sheet
music. Edition Schott.
Classical. Softcover.
Composed 2016. 42 pages.
Duration 21'. Schott
Music #ED30160. Published
by Schott Music
(HL.49045281).
ISBN
9781495078989. UPC:
888680651466.
9.0x12.0x0.3 inches.
English.
Prayer is
one of the composer's
most original and
sophisticated works. The
typical African-American
church service seems to
be a source for this
piece with its interplay
of sections and colors,
yet the work in form and
rhythmic choices is
clearly 'classical' and
never breaks out into
easy imitations of, for
example, gospel music.The
work opens with the choir
singing the spiritual 'My
Lord, What a Mornin'' in
octaves, sung flat-out a
cappella, as might happen
in church. The
instrumental section
following this opening
feels very much like a
thoughtful response by
the congregation.
Instruments seem to
behave like individual
churchgoers, colorfully
dressed and answering
various episodes with
individual thoughts. As
for any fears that the
mighty organ might drown
out the proceedings,
Singleton puts that to
rest by employing it
almost like another choir
or section of the choir.
The trumpet soloist does
not blast us into heaven,
it tends to sing and, we
find out later, is
preparing us for the
spiritual 'Where Shall I
Be When the Firs' Trumpet
Soun'?' Even the tenor
soloist behaves much like
just another (but still
important) instrument.The
composer has chosen to
not only feature
spirituals, but also to
set a poetic text called
A Christian Prayer, whose
main message, almost like
some modern-day Kyrie,
calls out 'save us teach
us ' and extols the
importance of humility
and the defeat of
violence. Singleton has
always been a composer
who has simultaneously
answered the call to
carry out what he feels
is his duty to his fellow
humans while using the
finest of his art to do
so, and Prayer finds him
at the top of his game.-
Carman Moore.