Par CLAUSEN RENE. / Date parution : 2023-07-31/ Répertoire / SATB divisi et Orchestre

A Song Of Ephrem The Syrian. Written for SATB divisi choir with solo trebles, Nico Muhly sets the striking words of the fourth-century saint with bold leaps and harmonies while an ethereal part for trebles floats above. Commissioned by the Reed Foundation for the Choirs of Merton College, Oxford, it was first performed on 19th January 2020.

This beloved hymn, often referred to as the Black national anthem, was first performed in 1900. Widely considered to be a treasure, it is frequently chosen to celebrate important moments in gatherings and commemorations of the African American Civil Rights Movement. In this adaptation, Heather Sorenson and Rev. James Ward have collaborated in an effort that highlights the cooperation of black and white composers working together to honor the message of social justice. A new second verse brings the hymn into our current quest for diversity and equality so that all choirs can have the opportunity to build unity from faith and music.

The Faber New Choral Works series sets out to introduce a wealth of new or recently written choral music to choirs in search of fresh repertoire. The series aims to draw in a rich diversity of living composers and will include both lighter and more challenging contemporary works offering a thrilling array of varied styles.In Memoriam Anne Frank was written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Anne Frank's death in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp just six weeks before the Nazi surrender in 1945. This moving choral tribute is elegiac in mood but like Anne's inspirational diary also exudes warmth and gentleness.Composed byHoward Goodall available here is the Vocal score of his emotive and moving work In Memoriam Anne Frank for SATB (divisi) Choir with Piano accompaniment.

Commissioned and first performed by the choir of Liverpool Cathedral this anthem is ideal for use during the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The choral lines move between sonorous homophonic writing and vibrant imitative passages and are underpinned by a repeated quaver motif in the organ. Combining a sense of joy with moments of reflection this anthem will particularly appeal to choirs looking to expand their choral repertoire.

Craig Hella Johnson Choral Series-Michael Ippolito's Rain Song for SATB choir with Viola or Cello. With long sections of aleatoric sounds a Viola scordatura and a text filled with duality of imagery this is an anthem for theadvanced and adventurous choir. The Viola (or Cello) is not an accompaniment instrument but rather a “full musical partner” and will require a fine player.

Bruce Greer's We Are Thy People for SATB (with divisions) and Piano. This dramatic and majestic anthem sets verses from Isaiah starting with an appeal to God to show himself and his power followed by an admission of human sin finishing with an affirmation that we are all God's people. The choral parts are largely homophonic except for an effective unaccompanied fugal central section and optional high soprano notes are included towards the end for added dramatic effect. The Piano part makes full use of the instrument's range and features vibrant scalic and arpeggiated flourishes tremolos and rhythmic accented chords.

This secular text written by Edgar Allen Poe is fanciful calling into question whether reality is a dream or even a dream within a dream. The music is lush and has a subtle hint of popular harmonies alongside well-written choral lines and an accessible piano part. This would be perfect material for a good secondary school choir.

Morten Lauridsen is most noted for his vocal cycles and sacred motets which are performed extensively throughout the world. He is Professor of Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music in the United States. The Madrigali: Six ‘Fire Songs’ on Italian Renaissance poems were premiered in Los Angeles in 1988. Each of the six poems in the cycle contains romantic references to fire and the music is unified by manipulations of a sonority called the ‘Fire-Chord’ which opens the piece and is found extensively throughout. Whilst the pieces are contained in a cycle each piece could be performedindividually. Translations of the poems are provided. The Choral Programme Series is now a well-esatablished programming tool for many choirs as it offers a wealth of fresh material from many eras and in many styles. Also offering great value for money as each volume in the series provides up to forty minutes of music

A splendid festive treat as sung by the King's Singers arranged for SATB divisi with Soprano Solo and Piano by Daryl Runswick.