Artistry First
 

CHORAL

    Ballerbach Music is proud to announce the first publications of the new Ballerbach Choral Editions. These 15 meticulously engraved octavos feature exciting and fresh choral writing that is contemporary, yet always singable.  The series is edited by composer James Syler.
 

Angels in the Early Morning (SATB, piano) by Stuart Glazer

  Completed in 1998 and part of a set of three settings of Emily Dickinson poems called Trilogy, this work features a lyricism that never subsides.  Add the optional parts for string quartet and its lyricism soars. The work was premiered in 1998 by the Palm Beach Atlantic College Concert Choir, West Palm Beach, Florida, Ray Robinson, conductor. Great words sensitively set to music that has feeling and motion.  Stuart Glazer is Professor of Theory and Composition at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Parts for string quartet optional.

BC101   $1.30   Opt. String Parts $2.50 each (vln.1, vln.2, vla, vc)   Duration: 3'

  There are many settings of this traditional Latin text, but this one is noted for its simple and direct approach that doesn't get in the way of the words. This a cappella setting, in Latin, was completed in 1997 and features unison, octave and warm four-part writing. The text is the traditional Eucharistic hymn from the 14th century attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d.1362).  James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC102   $1.25   Duration: 2'

  Commissioned in 1998 by the Canto Spiritus Chorus of Denver, San Antonio Choral Society and the Palm Beach Atlantic College, this dramatic work is a setting of a Civil War letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island to his wife. This stunningly poignant letter was written on July 14, 1861 from Camp Clark, Washington, DC.  Ballou was killed seven days later in the first battle of Bull Run.  The music closely follows the text as it builds in dramatic power and then subsides to nothing. Haunting and moving music that has proven to be popular with audiences.  James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC103   $1.60   Duration: 9'

  Commissioned and premiered by the Smith College Choir in 1988, this work is gentle without being sentimental. Based on a touching lyric by Ruth Whitman, taken from her "Blood and Milk Poems", the music mixes the traditional with the contemporary to produce a very singable and rewarding work. The addition of the viola adds a wide palette of color and range to the work.  A contemporary work that audiences will find accessible and moving. Robert Stern is recently retired from the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

BC104   $1.60   Duration: 6'

  Coming soon. In production.

BC105   Duration: 13'

  Originally completed in 1999 as the third movement of the Symphony No. 1 “Blue” for Wind Ensemble, Soprano and Chorus, this psalm setting follows the emotional arc of the text as it builds in intensity and resolves quietly.  The piano was added to this version, but no additional changes were made from the original choral score. The music is warm, resonant and lyrical.  Features mostly four-part writing with an emphasis on choral color and weight. Useable for both sacred and secular programming. James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC106   $1.40   Duration: 5'

  Completed in 2002, this a cappella psalm setting approaches the text as an arc form and features warm four and five-part choral textures. The vocal tessitura begins low and gradually ascends as the text builds to its zenith. As the text resolves, the music sinks back to its beginning. Commissioned by the San Antonio Choral Society, Gary Mabry, conductor, in memory of Katy Peachey.  A very effective sonority driven a cappella sound useable in sacred and secular programming. James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC107   $1.30   Duration: 3'

  Modeled after a setting by the 16th century Italian madrigalist Luzzasco Luzzaschi, this version features unusual voicings and a variety of textures to heighten Dante's vision. The text is from the third canto of the Dante's Inferno where he encounters the souls of the Opportunists just inside the gate of Hell.  This setting, in Italian, is a haunting and dramatic example of an old style brought into the contemporary world. A work of weight that also offers many pedagogical points as well.  Robert Stern is recently retired from the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

BC108   $1.40   Duration: 3'

  This work exist in two versions. One for SSAA Women’s Chorus and Cello and this version for SATB Mixed Voices and Cello.  The SSAA version is in production and will be available next year. This popular poem by Robert Frost (1874–1963) was first published in 1916 and has been the subject of many musical settings. This setting features the unique color of the cello, close two, three and four-part harmonies and smooth linear sounds.  It is music with a warm sheen that can fit well into any program. James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC109   $1.50   Duration: 5'

  Robert Stern's modern setting of this traditional English text adopts the Renaissance characteristics of sectional composition based on the text structure, a cappella texture and careful resolutions of dissonance. The text dates from the 16th century, but its authorship is unknown.  The music culminates with the sensitive handling of the text's bittersweet moment: "More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise."  A very effective five-part texture of fluid lyrical independence. Robert Stern is recently retired from the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

BC110   $1.40   Duration: 3'

  Commissioned by the Colorado College Choral Department, Vicki Burrichter, conductor, the text, written by the composer, is titled after the mythical siren - the temptress of the sea and points the reader toward the final moment of temptation. The music was completed in 2001 and features warm choral textures in unison and mostly four-part writing. The music follows the text in its ABA form with and abundance of lyrical lines that ascend and gradually resolve. This is warm sensual music that will communicate to the audience. James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC111   $1.50   Duration: 7'

  The text is from the last two stanzas of the Eucharistic hymn Pange Lingua written by the 13th century theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274). This a cappella setting, in Latin, was completed in 1997 and features lyrical four part writing, simple rhythms and warm textures. A work that provides harmonic color and tradition without sounding old fashioned.  James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC112   $1.30   Duration: 4'

  These poignant miniatures, in French, are carefully crafted with attention to voice leading, word setting and the harmonic colors available in an a cappella setting.  The text by Millard C. Dunn consists of "Alone", "The smile" and "Silence". Consisting of mostly four-part writing, these brief pieces offer a lot of music in a small package. They can also serve as a good introduction to singing in French.  Exquisite music.  Phillip Rhodes is Professor of Humanities at Carleton College in Minnesota.

BC113   $1.60   Duration: 5'

  Based on three traditional Yiddish folk songs, this work was completed in 1989 for Richard Dubois and the University of Massachusetts Chorale. These settings are gentle, lyrical and pay respect to the simple heartfelt lyrics. The music is superbly crafted and draws the listener in. As an added bonus, the original Yiddish is printed into the music under the English. Useable for a variety of programming needs. Robert Stern is recently retired from the faculty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

BC114   $1.75   Duration: 8'

  The text is a popular traditional hymn of the Church with an uncertain authorship. This setting, in Latin, features lyrical warm four-part writing. The ABA form is simple and direct as is the music. Useable in sacred and secular settings,  it can also be used as an excellent postlude or concert ending. James Syler was educated at Northern Illinois University, the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Austin.

BC115   $1.25   Duration: 2'