Par BURTON KEN. British composer Ken Burton was drawn to the poetry of 18th-century slave and writer Phyllis Wheatley for his piece Descend to Earth. The dual troubles of pandemic and racial oppression in 2020 resonate with Wheatley?s concise poem, the start of which recalls the Christmas/Holiday season. Written for SSAATTBB unaccompanied choir plus baritone solo, Descend to Earth will have a place in many programs with varied themes. It was commissioned by VOCES8 for their LIVE From London festival in 2020 and premiered by them with baritone Roderick Williams./ Répertoire / Ch?ur SSAATTBB sans Accompagnement

This spiritual, extended work uses the liturgical Latin text. The four movements bring us on a metaphysical journey from the heavens to earth, from the echo of The Spheres (Kyrie) to Identity and The Ground (Sanctus) with its earthly themes. Neither expressly sacred nor secular, this is an exquisite work for advanced high school level and beyond. Available separately: SSAATTBB, String Orchestra (Full Score and Parts), String Orchestra (Full Score only). Duration: ca. 32:00. / Choeur Mixte (SSAATTBB)

Blake Wilson's Ave Maris Stella focuses on the idea of Mary as a source of strength and power. Melodically rich with earthy harmonies and diverse texture this is a very impressive setting of the well known Latin text. An excellent choice for high-level high school choirs and above.

Par SCHOENBERG ARNOLD. ?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! / Date parution : 2022-07-20/ Répertoire / SSAATTBB A Cappella