SKU: BT.PMC3865
The Two Songs on American Poems were composed in late May and early June of 2011 by candlelight at my rustic waterfront cabin on a remote island off the northwest coast of Washington State. It was in this locale that I havecompleted a number of works over the years, including the Lux Aeterna, O Magnum Mysterium, Nocturnes, Canticle/O Vos Omnes and others. Prayer was written in memory of Michael Jasper Gioia, Dana and Mary Gioia's infant son, whosebrief life was tragically ended by SIDS.Mr. Gioia served as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003-2010 and has authored several books of poems, numerous anthologies, articles, essays and two opera libretti. Amonghis many awards are the American Book Award and Presidential Citizens Medal. He currently holds the Judge Widney Chair of Poetry and Public Policy at the University of Southern California. Sure on this Shining Night was originallycomposed as a choral piece, the third movement of my Nocturnes on poems by Rilke, Neruda and Agee. Rod Gilfry, an international star of opera, recital and musical theater, premiered the mixed duet version with his daughter, Carin,in 2009. He is Professor of Vocal Studies at the USC Thornton School of Music. Both he and Mr. Gioia are national treasures. The Two Songs are designed as a pair but may be sung independently - when paired, Sure On This ShiningNight should begin immediatelyfollowing the final, sustained chord of Prayer with no break in between the songs. Both of these songs, premiered by Mr. Gilfry accompanied by the composer at a USC Visions & Voices tribute to DanaGioia on September 27, 2011, have their roots in the American musical theater and should be sung as such.
SKU: PR.11641600S
ISBN 9781491134689. UPC: 680160685271. English. Text: Ryan Carson.
Among the most intriguing of this pioneering American composer’s works, Three Songs on poems of Carl Sandburg is scored for Contralto with Oboe, Percussion, and Piano, plus an optional orchestra. The study score includes an essay introducing Crawford’s unique work in historical contexts as she sought a new musical language accessible to the many, while remaining uncompromisingly avant-garde.
SKU: PR.11641600L
UPC: 680160686346. Text: Ryan Carson.
SKU: PR.141401030
ISBN 9781491131657. UPC: 680160679997. English. Poems by H.T. Tsiang, originally published in The Daily Worker (1928).
Ruth Crawford was a pioneering subversive in both American music and socioeconomic politics. In 1932 she discovered H.T.Tsiang’s polemic poetry in The Daily Worker (a NYC-based Communist journal), and two poems leapt out as dramatically expressing oppression of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie, showing internal class struggle even within immigrant communities. This is the genesis of the songs “Sacco, Vanzetti†and “Chinaman, Laundryman.†Musically, Crawford’s rigorous modernism not only serialized pitches, but other elements as well. This explains the slightly surprising title TWO RICERCARE, a reference to the Renaissance precursor of fugue.
SKU: AP.29638S
ISBN 9780739050972. UPC: 038081322872. English.
This cycle is a setting of three contrasting poems by Latin-American poets Leopoldo Lugones, Rube én Dari Ão and Jose é Marti Ã. Olas Grises uses evocative rain and sea imagery to meditate on the nature of life and death. Set as a lyrical, quasi-strophic song, these images are portrayed through the opening percussion raindrop motive and the moaning vocal line used throughout the movement. Nocturno is a frantic soliloquy set as an extended opera scene. The opening recitative is followed by a surreal aria. This is followed by a re-statement of both sections. Suen ño Despierto is a short poem about the contrasting images of a waking dream. Based on a fragment of the lullaby Nanita Nana, heard in its entirety at the opening, the song is a set of three variations, followed by a coda, which portray these various images. Three Spanish Songs was commissioned by Michael Haithcock and the University of Michigan Symphony Band. This is the recital/rehearsal version of this piece. The vocal solo with wind ensemble accompaniment is also available (00-29639/$150).
SKU: AY.FRD36
ISBN 9790302114642.
Three songs based on the poetry of American poet Holly Beye (1922-2011): Definition of the Highest; The Happiness; Song from the Bamboo Cycle.
SKU: BT.DHP-1084423-010
9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.
Arrows of Lightning is a work in four movements by the Luxembourg composer Marco Pütz. American Indian songs and poems, which includes a song that translates as Arrows of Lightning, served as the inspiration for this composition.In this song, the arrows were charmed by means of singing and dancing so that they would go faster - as fast as lightning. The scoring enables this piece to be performed by a band without a full contingent of players. A fantasticwild-west adventure for your band. Dur: 10:10 (Grade 2-1/2)Arrows of Lightning is een werk in vier delen van de hand van de Luxemburgse componist Marco Pütz. Als inspiratie voor deze compositie gebruikte hij een bundel met oude indiaanse liederen en gedichten. Arrows of Lightningis de vertaling van een oud indiaans lied. Hiermee bezwoer men de pijlen die voor de jacht bedoeld waren door middel van zang en dans, zodat ze sneller - zo snel als de bliksem - zouden gaan. De componist meende dat deze titeleen pakkende hoofdtitel zou vormen voor dit geheel van dansen en/of liederen. Met Rocking the Cradle, The Mystical Song, Circle Dance en Battle Dance.Zu diesem Werk ließ sich der Luxemburger Marco Pütz von einem indianischen Gedichte- und Liederalbum inspirieren. Die vier Sätze Rocking the Cradle, The Mystical Song, Circle Dance und Battle Dance greifen teilweise auf überlieferte indianische Gesänge zurück, teils entsprangen sie der Fantasie des Komponisten. Die Instrumentierung lässt auch eine unvollständige Besetzung zu, nur die Schlaginstrumente sollten vollständig besetzt sein. Ungewöhnlich und kreativ!Arrows of Lightning (“Les flèches de l’éclairâ€) est une œuvre en quatre mouvements du compositeur luxembourgeois Marco Pütz. Cette composition puise ses racines dans un recueil de chants et de poèmes améridiens anciens. Le titre de l’œuvre est la traduction d’un vieux chant indien chanté avant la chasse, et généralement accompagné d’une danse, pour ensorceler les flèches afin qu’elles soient rapides comme l’éclair. Séduit par cette histoire, c'est donc tout naturellement que le compositeur décida de reprendre ce titre pour définir son œuvre.1. Rocking the Cradle (“Berceuseâ€)2. The Mystical Song (“Chant mystiqueâ€)3. Circle Dance(“Danse en cercleâ€)4. Battle Dance (“Danse de combatâ€)Si les thèmes des différents mouvements émanent pour l’essentiel de danses ou chants amérindiens, ils sont enrichis d’éléments thématiques issus de l’imaginaire du compositeur. Les Indiens d’Amérique, leur grande culture, leur manière de vivre en harmonie avec le milieu naturel ont toujours fasciné Marco Pütz.L’orchestration a été réalisée de manière être également adaptée des ensembles effectif incomplet. Cependant, il est conseillé de couvrir toutes les voix de percussion.
