SKU: PE.EP68578
ISBN 9790300759630. English.
Of Time and Passing (2016) is a cycle of three choral songs written specifically for the London-based ensemble, VOCES8, taking into consideration their versatilityand ability to beautifully intone a range of vocal colors with precision and grace.
The first song, I. Life, sets my translation of the poem A Vida by Brazilian poet Olavo Bilac (1865-1918), a poet I discovered while studying Brazilian Portuguese at the University of Michigan. I was drawn both to the simplicity of the text and to the possibilities of teasing out dual contrasting moods. In the beginning and end, this song explores a texture that is very much alive: wave-like contours, throbbing sounds, and plenty of flowing movement. Rising eighth-note motives in particular emphasize the fleetingness of life. But in the middle of the song, the listener is given a slowed-down atmosphere to savor life's beauty.
II. To Everything a Season capitalizes on VOCES8's ability to effectively interpret popular genres a cappella. This ancient text is taken from Ecclesiastes (dated around 300 B.C.) but I set it to a modern, rhythmically-regular and percussive pop-style idiom. Since popular music in whatever era is designedto appeal to a specific ?present time?, it is by its very nature ephemeral, and therefore seemed an apt metaphor to evoke the transitory nature of seasons.
III. Into Your Hands, confines the writing into no more than four parts, often with octave unisons.This creates a more direct and word-focused setting in which the Psalmist?s urgent words are placed at the forefront. Largely homophonic, this song is at times chorale-like, at times madrigal-like,finally relinquishing it?s tension into peaceful rest, proclaiming ?You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God??
- Daniel Knaggs
SKU: HL.49044858
ISBN 9790001203357. UPC: 841886025172. 7.5x10.75 inches. Latin.
Gaetano Lorandi's eight-part 'Ave verum' for mixed a cappella choir was awarded a prize by the jury of the International Federation of Choral Music in 2013 for its high repertoire value and its great elaborateness. Based on the Latin prayer 'Ave verum' from the 14th century, this sacred a cappella choral work captures the special atmosphere of the mystery of the Eucharist in a musically impressive way. Characterized by dense chromaticism and successive changes of time and dynamics, it is based on a sophisticated handling of the text and a subtle musical language. Thus, the work is a demanding addition to existing Ave verum settings, both with regard to the music and to the performance practice.
SKU: HL.49045938
Magnificat by Magdalena Zimmermann for mixed choir (SSAATTBB) plays with harmony, rhythm and dynamics. The unexpected continuation of melodies by the voices, combined with shifted rhythms, engages the audience's attention until the last bar and results in a rich sound. With its soft and gentle ending, Magnificat as a prayer of Mary exudes, at the same time, a sense of calmness and gentleness.The work is rhythmically and harmonically demanding, which is why the singers need to be steady keeping beat and intonation. Once Magnificat has been rehearsed, it is suitable for concerts as well as Sunday services.
SKU: CA.7070100
ISBN 9790007252267. German/English. Text: Meyer, Conrad Ferdinand.
Friede auf Erden op. 13 is regarded as Arnold Schoenberg's last tonal composition and is one of the few choral works of the Second Viennese School. On the same day that he completed his op. 13, Schoenberg made the first sketches for his 2nd String Quartet, a key work in atonal music. Although Schoenberg later orchestrated Friede auf Erden, he intended the piece to be performed unaccompanied.To help rehearsing the work, this choral score contains the piano transcription made by Anton Webern for use in rehearsals for the planned first performance. The text for op. 13 is a secular Christmas poem by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer. At the time of its composition (1907), Schoenberg thought the vision of a reine Harmonie unter Menschen (pure harmony amongst people) described in the poem was conceivable, but he later distanced himself from this idea. What remained is a composition of great artistic power and depth - a real showpiece for ambitious choirs!
SKU: CA.7070110
ISBN 9790007252274. German/English. Text: Meyer, Conrad Ferdinand.
“Friede auf Erden†op. 13 is regarded as Arnold Schoenberg’s last tonal composition and is one of the few choral works of the Second Viennese School. On the same day that he completed his op. 13, Schoenberg made the first sketches for his 2nd String Quartet, a key work in atonal music. Although Schoenberg later orchestrated “Friede auf Erdenâ€, he intended the piece to be performed unaccompanied.To help rehearsing the work, this choral score contains the piano transcription made by Anton Webern for use in rehearsals for the planned first performance. The text for op. 13 is a secular Christmas poem by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer. At the time of its composition (1907), Schoenberg thought the vision of a “reine Harmonie unter Menschen†(pure harmony amongst people) described in the poem was conceivable, but he later distanced himself from this idea. What remained is a composition of great artistic power and depth – a real showpiece for ambitious choirs!. Score available separately - see item CA.7070100.
SKU: HL.427582
ISBN 9781705162620. UPC: 196288062790. 6.75x10.5x0.019 inches.
This setting of Christina Rossetti's poem “Then Shall Ye Shout†for unaccompanied double choir was commissioned by Help Musicians UK for its annual St Cecilia's Festival service and first performed by the Choirs of St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster Cathedral on 17 November 2021. Rossetti's text describes singers biding their time and staying silent until the moment they are able to come together again and sing, loudly and with passion. The piece commemorates the period in 2020 during which musicians were unable to perform due to lockdowns caused by the global pandemic.
SKU: CA.178100
ISBN 9790007253967. German.
The conductor Frieder Bernius regards the motets of Hans Fahrmann as an indispensable and extremely welcome addition to the late Romantic repertoire. The composer's output is little known nowadays. Born in 1860, he was considered the Richard Strauss of the organ during his lifetime. With their demanding harmonies, Fahrmann's choral motets place high demands on choirs and - like Reger's works - stretch tonality to its extremes. And not least, their sonorous expressivity is thanks to their chromatic richness. Frieder Bernius has recorded the Motets opp. 34, 45, and 65 with the SWR Vokalensemble for the first time on CD (Carus 83.499).
SKU: CA.177200
ISBN 9790007253875. German.
The renowned conductor Frieder Bernius regards the motets of Hans Fahrmann (1860-1940) as an indispensable and extremely welcome addition to the late Romantic repertoire. Fahrmann was born in Saxony. Although his choral works are generally little known nowadays, during his lifetime he was considered the Richard Strauss of the organ. With their challenging harmonies which stretch tonality to its extremes, they represent an exciting addition to the chamber choir repertoire. And not least, their sonorous expressivity is thanks to their chromatic richness. Frieder Bernius has recorded the Motets opp. 34, 45, and 65 for the first time on CD with the SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart (Carus 83.499).
SKU: CA.177600
ISBN 9790007253912. German.
SKU: CA.178000
ISBN 9790007253950. German.
SKU: CA.178300
ISBN 9790007253981. German.
The conductor Frieder Bernius regards the motets of Hans Fahrmann as an indispensable and extremely welcome addition to the late Romantic repertoire. The composer's output is little known nowadays. Born in 1860, he was considered the Richard Strauss of the organ during his lifetime. With their demanding harmonies, Fahrmann's choral motets place high demands on choirs and - like Reger's works - stretch tonality to its extremes. And not least, their sonorous expressivity is thanks to their chromatic richness.Frieder Bernius has recorded the Motets opp. 34, 45, and 65 with the SWR Vokalensemble for the first time on CD (Carus 83.499).
SKU: CA.177900
ISBN 9790007253943. German.
SKU: CA.178200
ISBN 9790007253974. German.
SKU: CA.177700
ISBN 9790007253929. German.
SKU: BA.BA07414
ISBN 9790006559183. 27 x 19 cm inches. Text Language: Latin.
Based on the well-known bible text “Sing unto the Lord a new song†(Psalm 96:1-3), this upbeat composition with strong dynamics and flowing block chords alternating with fast-paced polyphony brings across this joyful message and enthuses singers.Originally conceived for male choir, women’s voices have now been added so that this version for mixed choir presents a further dimension of colour. This version also makes it possible to divide the choir into two groups, one for women and another for men, and to have them sing either together or as separate units. The version for mixed choir was premiered in Uppsala Cathedral (Sweden) on 26 October 2013, with the Uppsala Cathedral Singers conducted by Ulric Andersson.“My music is my own and I have never tried to be original. That has always been my motto and I have only tried to use music to express all the feelings which life has to offer. This has led people to describe my music as ‘so sad that it sounds like birds who have lost their wings‘ but also as ‘the happiest classical music that we have ever heard’.My compositions are almost all sacred. They express not only my own faith but also my appreciation and respect for the timeless texts that have been used for centuries and centuries.â€MÃ¥rten Jansson (b. 1965), elected member of the Föreningen svenska tonsättare (the Society of Swedish Composers), graduated from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KHM) with an MFA degree in Music Education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Voice. For more than ten years he was the music director and conductor of “Carmenâ€, one of the most prominent womens’ vocal ensembles in Sweden. He currently teaches choral conducting and music theory as well as giving vocal tuition at the Bolandgymnasiet and Musikskolan in his home town of Uppsala.Please find a recording of Cantate Domino performed by the Riga Recording Studio Singers (Latvia) by clicking on Multimedia.
SKU: PE.EP71816A
ISBN 9790577020402. 420 x 297mm inches. English. Rumi Rumi; translation by Andrew Harvey.
Love Abide encapsulates the very contemporary ethos of multicultural spiritual devotion in a world populated by a rich diversity of faiths--all feeling, as deeply and as aesthetically, the compelling potency of music with love. A rich offering on a theme of interfaith connectivity. The Japanese lullaby-inspired Zen Love Song and the title work Love Abide are totally absorbing.BBC Music Magazine, 5 starsWith its outspoken positive approach, Love Abide is like a musical bouquet of healing herbs. Roxana Panufnuik's beautifully crafted music is inventive and truly enjoyable. The Colla Voce Singers produce singing of exceptional quality, with impressive control and a very good balance. Remy Franck, www.pizzicato.lu, 5 starsIf I had to choose a 'glass-half-full' contemporary composer, then Roxanna Panufnik would be near the top of my list. Her Music exudes openness and inclusivity, and it is in the choral settings where hope and positivity - two words that lie at the heart of her work - are most keenly felt. ... much of her recent work can be seen to be built on the solid foundations laid down on this impressively varied and diverse collection. A music of hope in dark and troubled times. Pwyll ap Sion, Gramophone Magazine.This product is Printed on Demand and may take several weeks to fulfill. Please order from your favorite retailer.
