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SSAA rep WITHOUT textDate: June 11, 2009
Hello all,
I'm in the midst of programming a concert that requires at least one piece without words. I need one that evokes fear and sadness, and one that evokes celebration, reverence, joy. My choir can sing up to SSSSAAAA (eight parts women) but I'm certainly open to much less complicated rep! Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!
Christina Murray, Executive Director (incoming)
Association of Canadian Choral Communities
Conductor, Camerata Xara Young Women's Choir
Replies (14): Threaded | Chronological
Meagan Smith on June 11, 2009 3:36pm
I highly recommend any of the "Songs of Survival" arranged by Nora Chambers and Margaret Dryburgh. They are mostly classical symphonic works transcribed for women's voices. They were arranged from memory in a prisoner of war camp on Sumatra during WWII (if you're not familiar with these pieces, the choir is the subject of the movie "Paradise Road," and there are books about the women's experience). The "Largo" from Dvorak's New World Symphony is the best known, and probably fits one of your programming criteria. It's a beatiful piece and my choir has done it twice. There is also a simple but haunting round called "Russian Lullaby" published in the Libana songbook "A Circle is Cast." I have since learned that this is the same melody as a common "Hashkivenu" setting, if that makes any difference.
Good luck!
Meagan Smith
Music Director, Amasong
on June 11, 2009 3:51pm
Have you looked at any of the "Song of Survival" material? These sets includes wordless arrangements of orchestral concert music. The arrangements were created by Margaret Dryburgh during WWII for the women confined in the Japanese camps in Sumatra. They are really well done, and may provide something that will work for you.
The contents of 5 of the 6 volumes published by Theodore Presser:
Vol. 1
Largo (from the new world symphony) Dvorak Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) Vol. 3 Chopin Prelude Minuet in G Boléro Londonderry Air Vol. 4 To a Wild Rose Auld Lang Syne Country Gardens Vol. 5 Mozart Allegro Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile Vol. 6 Morning from Peer Gynt (Grieg) Raindrop Prelude (Chopin) (I left out Volume 2, which is themed for Christmas)
My groups have done the Dvorak (Largo), Country Gardens, and Minuet in G.
Lana Mountford
Ass't Director, Cantaré Vocal Ensemble, Seattle, WA
on June 11, 2009 3:51pm
Hi, I've got one piece, a vocalise for 8 voices and a cello, if you can use an instrument. It's here: http://cyrad.is/tonlist/Vocalise.mp3 if you want to listen. Would fit the celebration and joy part :)
All the best
Hildigunnur
on June 11, 2009 4:31pm
There is an a cappella setting of the Overture to the
Marriage of Figaro published by Colla Voce. It's terrific! Also
there are some settings of Bach - I believe a Largo and some
others. Possibly also Colla Voce, all wordless. Stephen Hatfield
also has a number of things that are without words. Check his
website for descriptions and to hear examples. There are a couple
of versions of "Mouth Music" out there also, at least one by
Malcolm Dalglish that is great.
Good luck! Joy
on June 11, 2009 6:59pm
Hi Christina,
First of all, congratulations on the new job! I wish you all the best in this very big, big job. Pat really did a good job for all those years. I hope that you will like this job as much as she did and that you will be with us for a very long time. All the best.
Now for the repertoire: Did you think of the Kodaly, Mountain Nights? I beleive they are numbered I to V.
All the best,
Robert Filion
Les ensembles vocaux De La Salle, Ottawa, Ontario
on June 12, 2009 3:44am
Take a look at:
"Chasing the Northern Lights," Nancy Telfer, Leslie Music Supply.
"Nukapianguaq," arr. by Stephen Hatfield, is a rather aliatoric piece using Inuit syllables described as a kind of 'scat.' Quite challenging.
Boosey & Hawkes.
"Three Ways to Vacuum Your House" by Stephen Hatfield. Three pieces that can be purchased individually, all with nonsense syllables "imitating the humming and muttering one does during housework. Stephen Hatfield, Boosey&Hawkes.
"For Elizabeth: Gold, Frank Innocence, and Mirth," also by Stephen Hatfield and published by B&H.
"'Tween Time Tune," Robert J. Rosen, available from Canadian Music Centre, Vancouver, BC.
"Vox Tronica," Tobin Stokes.
I've not done any of these, but all are in my file of Canadian music to consider for future performance.
Good luck!
Susan Marrier
dulcisono women's choir
on June 12, 2009 4:20am
take a glimpse to Zoltán Kodály's Mountain Nights I-V. The movements can be performed separately, and the characters are different. You'll find what you are looking for.
Best wishes
C.Szalai, Ágnes
HUngary
on June 12, 2009 9:21am
I endorse the recommendation of Kodaly's Mountain Nights
Stephen Hatfield - Floating Upstream
Malcolm Dalglish - Reel a Bouche
on June 12, 2009 6:50pm
Christina,
Along with a thumbs up on Kodaly Mountain Nights, I recommend Meredith Monk's Quarry Weave. it's not commercially available, but I'm pretty certain you can get a copy and permission to perform. It's a gorgeous round that breaks out into 8 parts...a little tricky but well worth it. In the Celebration/reverence/joy category. Let me know.
Cynthia Powell
Melodia Women's Choir
on September 11, 2009 9:20am
Christina,
This comes a little late, but if you might still be looking - I have a score for SSAA and piano - Snow Angels. Although it may depict a winteresque scene, is contemplative of the celebration, reverence and joy moods you are seeking. http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/index.php?sm=home.score&scoreID=2286
Best,
Rick
on September 12, 2009 5:41pm
Christina,
Stephen Hatfield's La Lluvia - wonderful piece! Also, Rachmaninoff's Vocalise.
Debbie Mello
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