Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED / Lass dich nicht nur nichts dauren [Geistliches Lied, opus 30] (SATB, organ or piano/3 or 4 hands) Duration: 4:45 CAN 1003 $1.25 String score and parts: CAN 1003.01 $12.50
This wonderfully moving motet, a choral classic, belongs in every library. Cantate's edition is based on the authoritative first edition, for which Brahms supplied dynamic and expressive markings missing in the autograph. In addition to the original German text, this edition includes a new, singable English translation that is faithful to the original. Perform this extraordinary motet with string accompaniment: Cantate has published Jan Harrington and Graeme Cowen's string arrangement of the organ part.
Thomas Dunn BITTER-SWEET (SATB, organ) Duration: 3 min. Medium CAN 1013 $1.25
Bitter-sweet owes its musical atmosphere to a French style. The choral writing is quite simple and expressive. The organ part is an impassioned and bitter litany, pervading the choir's sweetness.
Karl Heinrich Graun (1703-1759) O LORD, BE GRACIOUS / Herr sei mir gnädig (SATB, keyboard, oboe [fl/vln]) Duration: 4 min. Medium CAN 1005 $1.25; Full Score: CAN 1005.01 $8.50; Set of Parts CAN 1005.02 $7.50
A hauntingly beautiful setting of Psalm 6:3, with the oboe (or other solo instrument; part included) intoning the "O sacred head, now wounded" melody in half-notes over the expressive choral lines. This is the first published edition of this excellent work. The full score and set of parts (sold separately) with the original instrumentation (strings, 2 oboes and basso continuo) is also available.
"The tessituras, delicacy of the lines, contrapuntal texture, and melodic and harmonic interest make this piece suitable for high school, college, or church choirs." Joan Whittemore CHORAL JOURNAL (August 97)
Mark Hardy SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD (Alto solo, SATB a cappella) Duration: 4 min. Easy/Medium CAN 1022 $1.00
Hardy's accompaniment to this well-known spiritual captures the depth of feeling in the text, from desperation to exhilaration.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) EASTER ANTHEM: THE LORD IS RISEN (SATB, keyboard with optional trumpets I/II) Duration: 3:30 Medium; in original key of D Major: CAN 1002D $1.50; Full Score (in D) CAN 1002D.01 $9.50; Set of Parts (in D) CAN 1002D.02 $8.50; Vocal score in C Major: CAN 1002C $1.50; Full Score (in C) CAN 1002C.01 $9.50; Set of Parts (in C) CAN 1002C.02 $8.50
A joyous, majestic work that choirs will love to sing, and one that is bound to become a favorite. The choral lines are not difficult--in this piece Handel avoids running 16th notes, making it perfectly accessible to volunteer choirs. The anthem closes with a triumphant "alleluia, amen" section. Trumpet I/II part included. The full score calls for strings, oboes I/II, trumpets I/II, and organ.
Daniel Pinkham ALLELUIA FESTIVA (SATB, organ) Duration: 3 min. Medium/Difficult CAN 1008 $1.50
An exciting, festive setting of the single-word acclamation, full of musical energy, by one of America's most prolific and highly-respected composers.
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) AVE VERUM CORPUS / Worship the Lord (SATB, organ) [E] Duration: 1:45 CAN 1040 $1.25
Ave verum corpus appears as the fourth piece in a group of "6 choeurs religieux" by Saint-Saëns, and has never before been published. The original Latin text and a prose translation is given; a singing English version is also included with widens the meaning of the Ave verum text, turning it into a general expression of worship, reverence and thanksgiving suitable for almost any church occasion or concert use.
Gustav Schreck (1849-1918) SEIHE, DAS IS GOTTES LAMM / See now the Lamb of God (SATB a cappella, keyboard reduction) [M] Duration: 2 min. CAN 1038 $1.25
This is a lovely Lenten motet by a greatly respected and influential choral musician who, as a teacher at the Leipzig Conservatory and Cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig from 1892-1918, influenced a whole generation of choral musicians, including F. Melius Christiansen.