Atlanta Constitution

Commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A dense dark work that penetrates deeply into the soul of Whitman's response to the assassination of a great leader - Atlanta Constitution

James Adler's Memento Mori: An AIDS Requiem is an oratorio for soloists, men's chorus, and orchestra. It is dedicated to those who have succumbed to AIDS. A 75-minute work in nine movements, Memento Mori combines traditional English, Hebrew, and Latin texts with original prose and poetry by Quentin Crisp, Philip Justin Smith, Denise Stokes, and Bill Weaver. Memento Mori was commissioned by the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus. Of its 1996 world premiere in Atlanta, Derrick Henry (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) wrote, 'Employing an eclectic, predominately lyrical musical language, Adler writes for both chorus and orchestra with uncommon imagination.' / Choeur TTBB

Commissioned and recorded twice by tenor William Brown Through This Vale of Tears is a kind of social commentary on the death of Dr. King. As described by the Atlanta Journal Constitution “Mr. Baker's piece set a varietyof texts in a cornucopia of styles including scat spiritual and chorale. Miraculously this diversity cohered producing a multi-dimensional work filled with grief humor and hope.” Instrumental parts available separately(LKMP# X815403).