Eric Whitacre: i carry your heart The Text Composed in 2016, Eric Whitacre’s choral work i carry your heart has become another popular piece in choral repertoire. Based on the E. E. Cummings (1894-1962) poem of the same name, the text of the song is as follows: i carry your Read more…
Robert Nathaniel Dett: The Chariot Jubilee Context Robert Nathaniel Dett composed The Chariot Jubilee in 1919 after a commission came from Howard Lyman and the Syracuse University Chorus. The Chariot Jubilee is thought to be the first ever symphonic work based solely on Negro spirituals. After the premiere the orchestral Read more…
Morton Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium Context Morton Lauridsen is known today as one of the leading choral composers, due to his extensive collection of works, recordings and awards he’s picked up along the way. By far the most popular piece to come from Lauridsen’s pen is his setting of O Magnum Mysterium. Morton Read more…
John Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing Context Commissioned by the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska in 1978, John Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing is one of his most popular works. Written for SATB choir, A Gaelic Blessing is primarily known for the repeated chants of the Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Hallelujah Chorus Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source being the King James Bible. Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder Messiah Part II Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with Read more…
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Rest Context Composed in 1902, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ choral work, Rest, is scored for a mixed SATB choir without accompaniment. Lyrics were written by English poet, Christina Rosetti, and were part of her set of poetry, Goblin Market and Other Poems (1865). The Words O Read more…
Gabriel Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine Context Gabriel Fauré was born in 1845 in the south of France, and was the fifth son of six children. Out of his siblings, Gabriel was the only to pursue a career in music, as his four brothers went into journalism, and his sister became Read more…
Samuel Barber: Sure on this Shining Night Context Although perhaps most well-known for his orchestral works and concertos, Samuel Barber is also celebrated for his huge input into vocal and choral music. Barber composed over 100 works for voice and piano, with a majority still unpublished. Sure on this Shining Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Their sound is gone out into all lands Messiah Part II Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Read more…