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American Choral Music
CD: Cantata for double choir, soloists, and chamber orchestra by Jeanne Shaffer;
Dickenson texts set for women's voices, flute, viola, and piano by Johannes Somary. Amor Artis chorale;
soloists Elizabeth Farnum, soprano; Megan Friar, alto; Jonathan Goodman, tenor; Richard Holmes, bass.
Johannes Somary, conductor. Leonarda Catalog #LE347. Total Time 58:25
Leonarda Home Page.
Composer bios. (to alphabetical list).
Musicians' bios.
Program notes.
MP3s can be downloaded. CDs are $15.99 + shipping & handling.
Order Form |
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COMPOSERS |
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JEANNE ELLISON SHAFFER
Shalom
(45:00) for double choir, soloists and chamber orchestra
A Cantata for Peace written for the Alabama Peace Commission. Text
by Rev. John Keith.
Soloists Elizabeth Farnum, soprano;
Megan Friar, alto; Jonathan Goodman, tenor; Richard
Holmes, bass. Johannes Somary, conductor. |
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CANTATA "SHALOM" |
mp3 AUDIO SAMPLES |
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
(except #8) with |
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1. We are Thy People (4:52) |
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war choir, soprano and tenor solos |
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2. Go in Peace (2:13) |
mp3
(1:12) |
peace choir; mezzo-soprano, tenor solos |
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3. Blessed be the Lord (7:46) |
mp3
(:38) |
both choirs, baritone, tenor, bass solos |
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4. O God of Peace (2:23) |
mp3
(:42) |
peace choir, soprano solo |
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5. I, Nebuchadnezzar (9:04) |
mp3
#1 (:27) mp3 #2
(:37) |
both choirs, bari, bass, tenor, mezzo
solos |
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6. Thus Saith the Lord (2:51) |
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peace choir and soprano solo |
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7. Blessed are you Peacemakers (5:06) |
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combined choirs with solo quartet |
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8. Peace be with You (3:03) |
mp3
(:43) |
combined choirs with solo clarinet |
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9. Grant Us Peace (4:30) |
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combined choirs |
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10. O God of Peace, Bless Us with Peace
(3:15) |
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combined choirs |
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JOHANNES SOMARY
Many-Colored Brooms
(13:22)
for small chourus of women's voices with flute/piccolo, viola, and piano
(poems by Emily Dickinson)
Soloists Arlene Travis, soprano; Karen Kruger, alto,
with Zizi Mueller, flute; Susan Follari, viola; Kevin Jones, piano.
Johannes Somary, conductor. |
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"MANY-COLORED BROOMS" |
mp3 AUDIO SAMPLES |
INSTRUMENTATION |
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1. She sweeps with many-colored Brooms
(2:22) |
mp3
(:41) |
SSA, piano |
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2. Wild Nights (2:14) |
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SSA, flute, viola |
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3. Over the fence Strawberries grow (:48) |
mp3
(:12) |
SSA, piccolo |
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4. Some keep the Sabbath going to Church
(2:34) |
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SSA, soprano solo, flute, viola, piano |
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5. Two Butterflies went out at Noon (1:32) |
mp3
(:19) |
soprano and alto solos, viola, piano |
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6. Bee! I'm expecting you! (:50) |
mp3
(:20) |
SSA, viola |
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7. Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple
(3:02) |
mp3
(:32) |
SSA, flute/piccolo, viola, piano |
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Links to alphabetical list of composers:
Bios and links to all their recordings at this site
Reviews: Shaffer: "...I have described the
text in such detail because it is so carefully planned and moving that it would
be extremely powerful when spoken. Shaffer's music is first of all a marvelous
enhancement. The intense, yet fluid rhythms are true to the words, both in accent
and in meaning. [This piece] demands skilled performers, which this recording
has. * Somary: "The bouncing rhythm of Over
the fence and the somewhat plodding rhythm of the first lines of Some
keep the Sabbath are appropriate, and I found the distorted waltz rhythm
of Two Butterflies went out at Noon especially intriguing. The cycle
opens and closes with poetry about sunsets--a true circle--and Somary provides
a Schumannesque touch by adding an effective postlude. This is a fine addition
to the repertoire for women's voices." Jocelyn Mackey, Pan
Pipes of SAI. * [Shaffer] produces moments
of real power, beauty, and reflectivity...The exchanges between a solo quartet
and choir in section 7--Blessed are the peacemakers--are quite effective,
and the succeeding blessing and two prayers for peace are lovely and quite moving.
... Written for women's voices with flute, viola and piano, [the Somary piece]
sets seven of Emily Dickinson's delightful lesser trifles with tenderness and
whimsy, illuminating Dickinson's poetic images." American
Record Guide.
Recording: Recording producer and post production:
Marnie Hall. Shaffer recorded by Jerry Bruck at John Harms Center for the Arts,
Englewood, New Jersey, October, 1996. Somary recorded by Malcolm Addey at George's
Episcopal Church in New York City, April, 1997. DDD.
Support: This recording is made possible
with public funds from The New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
Music Publishers: Jeanne Shaffer, 1062 Woodley Road,
Montgomery, AL 36106, phone 334-264-8745. Johannes Somary, c/o the Horace Mann
School in the Bronx, New York. Phone 718-548-4000. Cover
and Graphic Design. Cover Painting, "Portrait of Cousins,"
by Barbara Gallagher, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Fred Applegate, © Barbara
Gallagher, 1993. Graphic Design: Marnie Hall .©
Leonarda Productions, Inc., 1999. All rights reserved.
choral music, choir music, music for choir, chorus and orchestra, cantatas,
American music, American composers
