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Repertoire ideas for a graduate conducting recital on 9/11Date: June 23, 2012 by Jeffrey Delman  Views: 2454
Friends,
I am in the process of creating a concert program for my graduate conducting recital (MM Choral Conducting at LSU) this coming fall. My concert lands coincidentally on the anniversary of 9/11, and I find it only fitting that my repertoire loosely reflect the tone of the evening. This would include exploring themes of loss, memorial, prayer, redemption, and forgiveness. I have a wealth of English language choral art songs from the 20th Century that will fit wonderfully, but need suggestions for older reptoire:
Songs from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, and Romantic eras that would be appropriate for the evening.
Songs in non-English languages that would highlight the global sense of community found by rising above such a tragedy.
The mixed chorus I'll be conducting is a graduate level ensemble and very capable. Chamber orchestra is also an option.
I would love to hear your ideas. The more creative the better. I am avoiding any repertoire commissioned for 9/11 or specific references to 9/11.
Many thanks,
Jeffrey
William McConnell on June 23, 2012 8:44pm
Things that immediately come to mind:
"Silent Devotion and Response" from the Sacred Service by Ernst Bloch
Dona Nobis Pacem from the Bach B minor Mass
Any movements of the Faure Requiem, but particularly the Libera Me
O Vos Omnes from the Gesualdo Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday (or any setting of that text)
Good luck.
Bill McConnell
mcconnellwt(a)gmail.com
on June 23, 2012 8:49pm
Hi Jeffrey,
There are many, many settings of "Super Flumina Babylonis", Psalm 136/137 (depending on which Bible you're using) both old and new from Palestrina to Lasso to......name somebody! Very moving text. The first verse, from the King James translation is--"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion."
Marie
Applauded by an audience of 2
on June 24, 2012 9:06am
Hi, Jeffrey.
I recommend "Mae e" by Kentaro Sato. It is in Japanese, and there are several versions (SA, SSAA, TTBB, SAB, and SATB), and piano is optional. (Here is YouTube of accompanied SATB and a cappella SATB)
What is more, there is the English lyrics version (the title is "Forever Forward") available too, and both Japanese and English versions are free, (Japanese ver here, and English ver here)
I performed both Japanese and English versions with my mixed chorus at the WWII memorial ceremony last year.
"Forever Forward"
How I remember the warm and loving touch of your gentle hand. How I remember the generous and fine tone of your voice. How I remember the openness and sincerity of your longing look, in prayerful serenity. When I close my eyes, the image of our time together hovers before me, and I recall the peaceful tones of harmony in song, when our voices fused. The fading music does not mean that we have bid one another final farewell. Whenever fresh melodies blossom into life anew, the vision of your presence will live again and again in my memory. How I remember the precious dream for which you undertook your quest.
How I remember
your tender smile directed toward new tomorrows. Prompted by memories of you that my heart contains, step by step, I move forward. Determined to embrace the happiness and sadness that each day brings, step by step, I move ever forward. Step by step, my memories of you move me forever forward. Applauded by an audience of 3
on June 24, 2012 6:25pm
If I may be so bold:
I composed what may be the 1st ever complete setting of Psalm 51 in Hebrew for SSAATTBB and 11 solo strings, commissioned by Rita Varonen and Chamber Choir Cantinovum (Jyvaskyla, Finland) for a Good Friday concert in March 2002 (and subsequently performed by them in September 2002 for a 9/11 memorial; but not a 9/11 commission!) and written November 2001-February 2002. Difficult piece, but worth the effort—it was named a finalist in the 2012 American Prize for Choral Composition. I can send a recording if this might be of interest—it awaits an American premiere.
Robert A.M. Ross
info(a)robertamross.com
on June 24, 2012 7:21pm
A 20th century setting that is wonderful but doesn't get done enough: Persichetti's Song of Peace (often done by men's choirs/glee clubs but there is an SATB version)
Mendelssohn: Verleih uns Frieden (can be done with piano, organ, or the winds it was written for).
Both contemplative and moving pieces.
Best,
Daniel Fry
on June 25, 2012 8:09am
Jeffrey,
I recommend Canticus Calamitatis Maritimae by the Finnish composer Mäntyjärvi. It is a wonderful piece describing the sinking of a ship in the Baltic.
Iit has Latin text. Rather difficult 20th century piece with lots of divisi. It is hauntingly beautiful, dramatic, and skillfully written. I did it with the Washington Kantorei
a few years ago.
Dale Voelker Applauded by an audience of 1
on June 25, 2012 2:40pm
Dear Jeffrey,
I'd like to suggest my Dona nobis pacem, composed in the months following 9/11. It has been performed in both 9/11 memorial concerts and graduate recitals, as well as on concerts on such diverse themes as war and peace, honoring veterans, and Christmas concerts.
You can hear it here:
And you can see it here:
It's available for sale from E.C. Schirmer.
Best of luck with your program! Thanks for considering my music.
All the best,
Joseph Gregorio
on June 26, 2012 11:01am
Hello Jeffrey,
You might consider "Song for Athene" by John Tavener. It is the work that was sung at Princess Diana's funeral as the casket was taken out of the church.
I would be interested in seeing what you finally program for this concert.
Sincerely,
Richard Householder
Universtiy of Windsor
on June 26, 2012 4:12pm
Thank you so much for some fantastic ideas, everyone. I will be e-mailing privately in the event I need any further clarification. You've given me quite a bit to go research...exactly what I needed!
Best wishes,
Jeffrey
on June 27, 2012 10:11am
Dear Jeffrey,
I would highly recommend that you consider “Requiem Prayers,” by the distinguished American composer Richard Toensing. Drawing from Orthodox funeral texts, this moving and gorgeous choral work for SSATB choir and chamber orchestra was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, though it doesn’t make specific reference to it. The work has not had a public performance, so your performance would be a world premiere. It has a running time of approximately 9 minutes.
Be sure to follow up with me, as I can provide a partial score for your review. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Janet Braccio,
Publicist for Richard Toensing Bella Voce Communications
on June 28, 2012 7:00am
Hi Jeffery,
May i suggest a few "classics"...
If you are able to do a set up with several choirs, think about maybe a few movements from Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater"...Beautiful work with an overwhelming sense of loss. This work is SA with string quartet and organ/harpsichord (I did this entire work as a recital during my MM phase).
I think that any Ave Verum Corpus text (Byrd and Mozart come to mind first...) would be stunning for SATB a cappella that matches this frame.
R. Schumann's "Requiem for Mignon, Op. 98b" is absolutely awesome for something like this...non liturgical, yet has some length (12 minutes) for SATB, soli and chamber orchestra.
Hope these ideas help!
Lynn A.
on June 28, 2012 7:09am
Jeffrey, Roger Ames wrote 'Choral Reflections on Amazing Grace' using an exquisite Kyrie that he wrote in response to 9/11 and put in his desk drawer. Later, he rediscovered it and found it fit beautifully with Amazing Grace (which he was asked to arrange for James Jordan). It is a unique and powerful arrangement, SATB using piano with soprano and mezzo/alto soloists.
Karen Schuessler
kssingers.com
on July 2, 2012 8:24am
Hi Jeffrey
One more idea to add to your list. James Wright has composed a beautiful version of Pie Jesu specifically dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on 9-11-01. In his words "“Pie Jesu” was written in late-September of 2001 in response to the tragedy of 9/11. As I reflected on the senseless and horrifying events of that day, I decided that there could be no more fitting text than the words of the ancient “Pie Jesu," the final couplet from the “Dies Irae” section of the Requiem Mass: “Tender Lord Jesus, grant them eternal rest and let light perpetual shine upon them. Hear our prayer, O Lord. Grant them eternal rest. Grant them peace. Grant them rest.” My "Pie Jesu" is dedicated to their memory. "
You'll find a recording of the song on James' website at http://jameskwright.com/media/
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