“Five from the Folder: Mixed Voices” by Geoffrey Boers

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED VOICES by Geoffrey Boers

 

1. “Spirited Light.” Jake Runestad. JR Music 0041

Inspired rhythmic writing meets kaleidoscopic harmony as a sonic depiction of the title. Runestad employs various compositional and vocal techniques to create a constant sense of upward motion.

 

2. “Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences.” Henry Purcell. CPDL

This dark and pleading prayer fits Purcell’s gruff polyphony well. His spicy harmonic cross-relations and angular motives amplify “Spare us, good Lord,” and “be not angry.” A great opportunity for choirs to sing in mean-tone tuning.

 

3. “My Flight for Heaven.” Blake Henson. GIA G-7189

A mature setting of Robert Herrick’s classic poem. Changing vocal textures, soaring vocal lines, and moving harmonies play with images of thoughtfulness, struggle, lifting up and falling away, and the final release, and peace, of death.

 

4. “Der Abend.” Richard Strauss. CPDL

Choral tone poem for sixteen part mixed chorus. Virtuoso vocal writing, wrenchingly beautiful motivic writing, and waves of harmonic progression.

 

5. “Villarosa Sarialdi.” Thomas Jennefelt. Gehrmans Musikforlaget WCM 1600254

Jennefelt sets his own language utilizing favorite sounds of numerous languages to create an “instrumental” work with no direct meaning. A minimalist, lush and rhythmic setting for 8 part divided chorus, creates an almost hypnotic effect, and inspires imagination.

 

(“Five from the Folder” provides brief, text-length reviews of vocal works currently in the folders of choral directors throughout the United States.  To share five from your folder, contact Scott Dorsey at )