Format : Vocal Score
Composed in 1997 Morten Lauridsen's Ave Maria is a texturally rich eight-part setting of the most loved of Marian antiphons. This treatment recalls the sumptious polychoral music of Gabrieli as well as the rich textures of Brahms' music for unaccompanied SATB choir. Faber Choral Signature Series introduces a wealth of new or recently written choral music to choirs in search of fresh repertoire. The series draws in a rich diversity of living composers and includes both lighter and more challenging contemporary works offering a thrilling array of varied styles.
SKU: BT.PMC3297
In addition to his vast output of German poetry, Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) composed nearly 400 poems in French. His poems on roses struck me as especially charming, filled with gorgeous lyricism, deftly crafted and elegant in their imagery. These exquisite poems are primarily light, joyous and playful, and the musical settings are designed to enhance these characteristics and capture the delicate beauty and sensuousness of the poetry. Distinct melodic and harmonic materials recur throughout the cycle, especially between Rilke''s poignant 'Contre qui, rose' (set as a wistful nocturne) and his moving 'La rose complète.' The final piece, 'Dirait-on,' is composed as a tuneful chanson populaire, or folksong, that weaves together two melodic ideas first heard in fragmentary form in preceding movements. 'Les Chansons des Roses' was premiered and recorded in 1993 by Portland, Oregon ''s celebrated chamber choir, Choral Cross-Ties, conducted by Bruce Browne. The complete cycle has been widely performed since then and also recorded by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Singers, Nordic Chamber Choir and tonight's performers, the Donald Brinegar Singers. (Morten Lauridsen).
