American-Prize-winning composer David Avshalomov announces a new version of his stirring “Principles” oratorio (SATB) on texts of Thomas Jefferson, now with orchestral accompaniment.
FOR AN EARLY LOOK AT THE FIRST SECTION OF THIS NEW VERSION:
Click here to open a perusal .pdf of the piano-vocal score
Click here to hear an MP3 of a live reading (earlier version) with piano
You can hear more movements and see the composer’s full choral catalog on his website:
The accompaniment for this new version is scored for standard orchestra. (It can also be performed with either piano, or piano with percussion.)
This revision lowers the tessitura in the women’s parts, and simplifies or removes many divisi, to make the work more accessible for college and community choruses. (The earlier, more challenging version for SATB choir with concert band is also still available.)
The work is self-published in affordable.pdfs. To see the remaining movements in piano/vocal or full score, please contact the composer at or by using the Contact form on his website.
SHORT NOTE
“Principles” is a powerful half-hour secular oratorio for SATB chorus (spot divisi) with 2 solo movements for baritone, on themes of liberty, social justice, religious freedom, and the separation of church and state, from texts of Thomas Jefferson. These include the revelatory Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and the Declaration of Independence, plus his mottos, epitaph, and quotes from two late letters.
Tonal-modern and populist in style, tuneful, rhythmic, singable, stirring, “thinking person’s patriotic,” the work has strong listener impact, and a big inspiring ending-a final peroration on “All Eyes are Opening to the Rights of Man.” It is a rousing, major statement, with texts for our times.
Both the Finale and the Declaration movement can also be excerpted and performed separately to good effect. (The Finale is particularly appropriate for 4th of July observances.)
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