THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS NOTES ON THE WORKS BY With this seemingly incompatible relationship of text and music, I agreed to Sara’s idea ĒRIKS EŠENVALDS ĒRIKS EŠENVALDS about the importance to emphasize the endless existence of nature, even if there is war 1 There Will Come Soft Rains [3.57] 8 A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby [6.52] There Will Come Soft Rains (2016) somewhere in the world. 2 Luke Hartley baritone The New Moon [3.48] Jennifer Gorham soprano So far I have written at least 14 songs with texts Haley Kim soprano by Sara Teasdale. I am drawn to the beauty and The New Moon Ethan Wiederspan tenor 9 Spring Rain [5.18] Ally Atwood soprano poignant simplicity of her poetry. This poem 3 [6.10] Long Road Blayne Fujita tenor seemed to be filled with the beauty of nature, The day had its share of worries. The moon seems Jennifer Rhyne bass flute Dalton Rouse and Manuel Tirado guitars Solo Octet: so in the song I decided to use polyphony, as I somewhat cold, distant, and pale, but is it lonely? Sopranos: Ally Atwood and Julie Landes 0 In My Little Picture Frame [4.51] had imagined the voices of the singers swaying Wrapped in a beautiful cloak, it sometimes Altos: Rachel Bridges and Morgan Myers Ally Atwood soprano like the wheat crop gently in the wind. On my attracts my gaze as if asking for attention. There Tenors: Daniel Beal and Joshua Carlisle Joshua Carlisle tenor musical canvas was an impression of a world are times when I feel like reaching higher, up Basses: Karl Eickhoff and Brent Johnson q Evening [3.51] peaceful and full of life – frogs, birds, trees where the stars are, but when the sky is but a 4 Rivers of Light [5.58] Marissa Moultrie soprano and rain – and I didn’t change this positive sea of clouds, the company of moonlight is Gillian Dockins mezzo soprano w atmosphere when in the middle of the poem there enough. In this spirit, I wrote the music for Sara Ethan Moon baritone My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose [3.53] Zane Šmite Jew’s Harp Rachel Bridges mezzo-soprano came a stranger, darker phrase: Teasdale’s poem “The New Moon.” Ethan Wiederspan tenor 5 Northern Lights [6.20] Luke Hartley sopranino recorder “And not one will know of the war, not one Austin Schend tenor Long Road e Stars [4.02] Will care at last when it is done.” 6 Only in Sleep [5.31] r Amazing Grace [5.22] The poet Paulīna Bārda lived a long life, to the Natalie Breshears soprano In the climax of the song I used my most rich Julie Landes soprano age of 93, but her husband, Fricis Bārda, also a 7 harmonic color, although the text there seemed to O, She Doth Teach The Torches [5.35] poet, died young. It seems to me that Paulīna’s not necessarily call for that: To Burn Bright poem Long Road is about them meeting (or not Joshua Carlisle tenor Total timings: [71.07] Dave Rowell whistler “Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree meeting) in deep dark nights as she gazes into If mankind perished utterly; the starry beyond. The eight-bar melody came to me rather quickly, but then I reached a dead THE PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CHOIR OF THE WEST And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, end: the melodic line would not evolve any RICHARD NANCE CONDUCTOR Would scarcely know that we were gone.” further and there also was too little text, just www.signumrecords.com - 3 - two little quatrains. Although I added another musicians – choristers, conductors, composers, discovered that I had come some 100 years Only in Sleep (2010) quatrain, which I borrowed from a different publishers and producers! Before the premiere late because the folksongs, legends of those poem by Paulīna Bārda, it was not enough for a I was going to hear my song only once – in the nations were unfortunately gone from the Only in Sleep was composed for Kent Hatteberg’s six-minute composition. So I opted to paint the choir’s last rehearsal there, and I was very spoken language and were mostly found University of Louisville Collegiate Chorale and starry heavens described by Paulīna without nervous. But as I entered the church where I in books. Cardinal Singers. I knew that Kent’s choirs any words whatsoever, just as a vocalise. Colors heard them already rehearsing my song, peace had already performed my A Drop in the Ocean deepened, a more mystical dimension broke came into my heart immediately because they A comment about the writings of the two and Long Road, both scores very demanding through, and together they lit up the long way sounded so good! Their beautiful individual explorers I have used in both songs: in the for highest technical performance qualities. to the starry expanse. It is a very sad story, voices were united in an excellent ensemble. University Library in Cambridge, UK where I I was trying to decide if I should continue the yet one filled with love. The story of the song was vividly present. was artist in residency at Trinity College from same path of writing another competition- These things made the Northern Lights 2011-2013, I read some 150 books about the type piece for them? I decided not, because in Northern Lights (2013) and Rivers of Light (2013) premiere truly magical. It was a huge success; Northern Lights and among them I found my professional work I always had loved and after the ACDA I returned home with six Nansen’s and Hall’s ship journal writings. needed a change or shift in writing style and Northern Lights was commissioned by the Pacific new commissions! Usually around 7-8 pm they would witness the imagination. And sometimes the most powerfully Lutheran University Choir of the West and their beginning of the aurora appearing faintly in the moving music is also the most simple. I found conductor Richard Nance. A particular Latvian Late in 2013, Rivers of Light was composed northern sky. As they kept watching it becoming Sara Teasdale’s beautiful poem, which in its folksong and writings about the Aurora Borealis for Artūrs Ancāns’ Swedbank Choir, a Latvian more live and turning the sky into fire, their simplicity and honesty perfectly says what it by Arctic explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Charles ensemble. In this work I quoted two Saami writings turned into something beautiful as if needs to say. I closed my eyes and started Francis Hall formed the inspiration for the work. joiks, special Saami folksongs, and again they were poets! As I was reading their notes to improvise Sara’s lyrics on my piano, and I had thought to use some poetry about the writings of the two explorers. Why was I using and composing them into my music I had a soon the tune was born and I enwrapped it Aurora, but such poems seemed to me less the folksongs? Technically it’s a compositional feeling as if we all three were standing on into 8-part harmony like a very dear baby inspiring and written in a too beautiful a manner approach related to the New Folklore Wave. their ships and watching the same sky the being swaddled in softest blanket. compared to the dramatic descriptions by the But emotionally, their authentic oldness adds same night. The handwritten texts resembled explorers. Richard had kindly invited me to a mystical color to the song. I admire such my pencil sketches on the sheet paper on my O, She Doth Teach The Torches To Burn Bright attend the premiere at the prestigious cultural heritage of our previous generations. piano. At those magical moments the American Choral Directors Association National When I myself was traveling to the very distance of 120-150 years between us shortened Romeo can’t take his eyes off the pretty Juliet. Conference, held in Dallas in 2013. This would be North in search of aurora stories and meeting to minutes. Mesmerized, his thoughts keep flitting and my first time to attend this enormous biennial with some great storytellers in preparation sparking. In keeping with the Shakespearian event, attended by some 5000 professional for composing my Nordic Light Symphony, I mood, I stylized this composition so as to evoke

- 4 - - 5 - Renaissance folk music using dance rhythms beat finally found an old manuscript from 1918 of visualization. A few moments later there Stars (2012) out with a tambourine. And only as the line “For A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby - a song by Peter were “passing motor busses swaying, the I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” is reached C. Caporossi with lyrics by Jack Whalen. street was a river of rain, and with the wild Brady Allred and the Salt Lake Choral at the end of the opus, I allow myself to thicken That was it! The second half of Jack’s poem spring rain and thunder my heart was wild Artists commissioned a new work in 2012. I the colors of the harmony, the better to express brought me to tears – a simple, fragile story and gay.” Oh, the music came so quickly! remember being out in the country in my the effect of the experience on Romeo’s soul. about the mother of a soldier, humming her In the following days, of course, I kept polishing native town in Latvia to celebrate Christmas The whistling by one of the singers – it is Romeo lullaby and dreaming of the days long ago every bar and harmony until I was satisfied with my parents. After dinner I went out to himself, a moment later still contemplating his when her son was sleeping in his cradle. I with the song. But somehow the poem’s aching have a silent walk in cold winter night. I was encounter with Juliet. imagined the voices of the mother and the melancholy (as a rainy day can trigger some impressed by the view in the sky – the stars soldier echoing each other from thousands memories) was present all the time. I think were so bright and spoke to me in a special A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby (2015) of miles away. The next lyrics, “And as the Teasdale’s Spring Rain is very much about way. I couldn’t name it, but I did catch the wind blows” inspired me to paint the flow of how time can tick away, when people need feeling of an added dimension. Later, while My grandma’s brother was a soldier and was time, years, and memories in music for double it to stand still. washing dishes I kept thinking about that lost in WWII. They didn’t know and probably chorus, in constantly shifting, overlapping feeling. I decided to try to play a wet wine never found out – where and when he died. harmony. At the very end of the song I gradually Evening (2006) glass, filled with some water (in the sink). When his death was announced, in the switched the perspective from their home That was it! The sound was almost equal family there were desperate cries like those to a picture or imagined place in heaven The charm of the poetry of American author to the feeling grasped from the sky! I called described so powerfully by Wilfred Owen in his where millions of such lullabies meet. Sara Teasdale (1884–1933) hides in a pure, my wife and oldest daughter to play their wine Anthem for Doomed Youth. But there also were clear romanticism, which is painted with glasses tuned to different pitches than mine. softly whispered prayers like those depicted in Spring Rain (2017) the brush strokes of simple language. Her After hearing our glass trio I knew that the A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby by Jack Whalen. poem Evening carried me off on wings of new piece for Brady’s choir would have water- As I was composing Spring Rain late at night, birds and brought me to a place that I have tuned glasses and that the song would be In this setting, commissioned by Kent there was no rain, nor storm outside of our only seen in my imagination – the green about the stars. Soon I found a beautiful poem Hatterberg for the University of Louisville house - only a peaceful night with the world foot of a mountain on the shore of the sea, a by Sara Teasdale – STARS, and immediately Cardinal Singers, I wanted to use Owen’s having gone into its sleep. On my piano there blue sky with a few streaks of white, the fell into my composing process. graphic lyrics - where soldiers “die as cattle,” was Teasdale’s poem facing me, and as I was sunset and a self-satisfied warm wind that contrasted with something gentle, dear and improvising it line by line, gradually the rain drifts into sleep. Birds sing sweetly, and, The world premiere was in a church in very personal. As I kept thinking about what and storm, and everything in her poem started oh, there is beautifully scented air... Summer. Argentina. Stars would be the last piece on that might be, in the Library of Congress I to rise in my mind into a three-dimensional Stepping over the threshold of one evening. the program. After the rehearsal the water-

- 6 - - 7 - tuned glasses were left on the first row pew so of Amazing Grace for the Riga Youth the singers could readily access them. When Choir “Kamer” and its artistic director Maris it was time for the piece in the program, the Sirmais. In the score I included a solo part singers moved to take their glasses, only to that I imagined one day would be performed find lipstick on the glass! Some people in the by Whitney Houston with an American choir. church had thought the water was for drinking! At the time professor Sirmais was extremely Brady understood the problem and started the busy and he soon forgot about my score. song just with the glasses playing, listening Two years later when I became a singer under to them and making decisions which glasses Maris in the State Choir “Latvija,” I humbly were still in tune and which were not. After reminded him about the song. He found it cancelling the wrong ones, he started the in one of the drawers in his desk, played whole song. Funny! through it on the piano, and immediately gave it to the youth choir “Kamer.” The arrangement Amazing Grace (2004) was soon given a fantastic premiere and recorded on compact disc. I was 11 years old and a budding composer when I heard my first true muse – Whitney Houston. During the Soviet occupation of Latvia we couldn’t get the sheet music for her songs. But I loved watching her on TV and collecting her cassette tapes. Houston’s songs surprised, intrigued and inspired me on my own musical journey. I certainly should say (a posthumous) thank you to her for being such an inspiration in my musical career. The natural flow of harmonies in her songs attracted me very deeply. In 2004, when I was a composition student at the Latvian Academy of Music, I decided to create an arrangement

- 8 - - 9 - TEXTS 2 New Moon High above the arch of heaven bends Winter night, the sky is filled with symphony of light. And light so clear is falling The sky is flooded with rivers of light. 1 There Will Come Soft Rains Day, you have bruised and beaten me, Like a flowering tree the world is blooming Ah, the doors of heaven have been opened tonight. As rain beats down the bright, proud sea, Overwhelmed, my heart both cries and laughs. There will come soft rains and the smell of Beaten my body, bruised my soul, From horizon to horizon, the ground, Left me nothing lovely or whole — Paulīne Bārda (1890-1983) Misty dragons swim through the sky. Translated by Elaine Singley Lloyd And swallows circling with their shimmering sound; Yet I have wrested a gift from you, Green curtains billow and swirl. Day that dies in dusky blue: Fast-moving, sky-filling, 4 Rivers of Light And frogs in the pools singing at night, For suddenly over the factories The tissues of gossamer. And wild plum trees in tremulous white, I saw a moon in the cloudy seas — Nothing can be heard. Kuovsakasah reukarih tåkko teki, A wisp of beauty all alone sira ria, Robins will wear their feathery fire In a world as hard and gray as stone — Light shakes over the vault of heaven its veil tåkko teki, Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire; Oh who could be bitter and want to die of glittering silver—changing now to yellow, sira ria, sira siraa ria. When a maiden moon wakes up in the sky? Now to green, now to red. And not one will know of the war, not one It spreads in restless change, into waving, Guovssat, guovssat radni go, Will care at last when it is done. Sara Teasdale into many folded bands of silver. libai libai libaida, It shimmers in tongues of flame. ruoná gákti, Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree 3 Long Road Over the very zenith it shoots a bright ray up nu nu nu. If mankind perished utterly; until the whole melts away as a sigh I love you night and day of departing soul in the moonlight. [Northern Lights slide back and forth, And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, As a star in the distant sky. sira ria, Would scarcely know that we were gone. And I mourn for this one thing alone -- Ah, leaving a glow in the sky like the dying embers back and forth, That to love, our lifetime was so short. of a great fire. sira ria, sira siraa ria. Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) A long road leads to heaven’s shining meadow 1. Traditional coat Northern Lights, blanket shivering, And never could I reach its end. libai libai libaida, Texts from Sámi folk songs and the writings of Candace Savage, But a longer road leads to your heart green coat1, Kari Kaila, Charles Francis Hall, William Reed and Fridtjof Nansen Which to me seems distant as a star. nu nu nu.]

- 10 - - 11 - 5 Northern Lights Yes, it was harp-music, Do they, too, dream of me, I wonder, The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; Wild storming in the darkness; And for them am I too a child? And bugles calling for them from sad shires. Cik naksnīnas pret ziemeli the strings trembled and sparkled Ē redzēj’ kāvus karojam; In the glow of the flames Sara Teasdale What candles may be held to speed them all? Karo kāvi pie debesu, like a shower of fiery darts. Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes 7 Ē vedīs karus mūs’ zemē. A fiery crown of auroral light cast a warm glow O, She Doth Teach The Torches Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. Across the arctic ice. To Burn Bright The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall; [Whenever at night, far in the north Again at times it was like softly playing, Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, I saw the kāvi soldiers1 having their battle, Gently rocking silvery waves, O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. Having their battle up in the sky; On which dreams travel into unknown worlds. It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Perhaps they might bring a war to my land, too.] Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear; Anthem for Doomed Youth, Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) Latvian folk song, Charles Francis Hall (1821–1871) Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! & Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) It was night, and I had gone on deck several times. So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, Now at twilight she is dreaming of the days long ago, As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows. Mid’st the fireside gleaming and the dim candles glow; Iceberg was silent; I too was silent. 6 Only in Sleep It was true dark and cold. The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand, While she’s humming a lullaby tender and so sweet, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. As she did when she fondled his baby feet; At nine o’clock I was below in my cabin, Only in sleep I see their faces, Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! And as the wind, the wind blows oh how the cradle When the captain hailed me with the words: Children I played with when I was a child, ‘Come above, Hall, at once! The world is on fire!’ For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night. will rock, Louise comes back with her brown hair braided, She softly hums while he goes “O’er the Top”. I knew his meaning, and, quick as thought, Annie with ringlets warm and wild. I rushed to the companion stairs. Romeo & Juliet Act I, Scene V, William Shakespeare (1564-1616) She’s softly sighing, May heaven guide him! In a moment I reached the deck, That’s a soldier’s mother’s lullaby. Only in sleep Time is forgotten – 8 A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby And as the cabin door swung open, What may have come to them, who can know? A dazzling light, overpow’ring light A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby (extract), Jack Whalen Yet we played last night as long ago, What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Burst upon my startled senses! And the dollhouse stood at the turn of the stair. – Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle Oh, the whole sky was one glowing mass The years had not sharpened their smooth Can patter out their hasty orisons. Of coloured flames, so mighty, so brave! round faces, No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; Like a pathway of light the Northern Lights I met their eyes and found them mild – Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,— Seemed to draw us into the sky.

- 12 - - 13 - 9 Spring Rain 0 In My Little Picture Frame w My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose e Stars

I thought I had forgotten, In my little picture frame it is you I see O my Luve is like a red, red rose Alone in the night But it all came back again Other pictures in this world cannot match its beauty That’s newly sprung in June; On a dark hill To-night with the first spring thunder It’s a quiet afternoon, sun is fading out O my Luve is like the melody With pines around me In a rush of rain. You put dandelion root in a teapot spout. That’s sweetly played in tune. Spicy and still,

I remembered a darkened doorway I was just a simple man, you to me were precious gold So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, And a heaven full of stars Where we stood while the storm swept by, I knew you before the war, in the days of old So deep in luve am I; Over my head, Thunder gripping the earth I was then a circus clown, funny nose and all And I will luve thee still, my dear, White and topaz And lightning scrawled on the sky. You seemed very lady-like, saw you at the ball. Till a’ the seas gang dry. And misty red; Times are changing moving on, not much The passing motor busses swayed, time remains Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, Myriads with beating For the street was a river of rain, In my little picture frame, it is you I have again. And the rocks melt wi’ the sun; Hearts of fire Lashed into little golden waves I will love thee still, my dear, The aeons In the lamp light’s stain. Imants Ziedonis (1933 - 2013) While the sands o’ life shall run. Cannot vex or tire; Translations by Ieva Lesinska-Geiber & Elaine Singley Lloyd

With the wild spring rain and thunder q Evening And fare thee weel, my only luve! The dome of heaven My heart was wild and gay; And fare thee weel awhile! Like a great hill, Your eyes said more to me that night Evening, and all the birds And I will come again, my luve, Than your lips would ever say ... In a chorus of shimmering sound Though it were ten thousand mile. I know I Are easing their hearts of joy Am honored to be I thought I had forgotten, For miles around. Robert Burns (1759-1796) Witness But it all came back again Of so much majesty. The air is blue and sweet, To-night with the first spring thunder The few first stars are white, – In a rush of rain. Sara Teasdale Oh let me like the birds Sing before the night. Sara Teasdale

Sara Teasdale

- 14 - - 15 - r Amazing Grace ĒRIKS EŠENVALDS

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought- That saved a wretch like me! after composers working today, with a busy I once was lost but now am found, commission schedule and performances of his Was blind, but now I see. music heard on every continent. After study at the Latvian Baptist Theological Seminary and ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, the Latvian Academy of Music, he was a And grace my fears relieved; member of the State Choir Latvija. In 2011 How precious did that grace appear he was awarded the two-year position of Fellow The hour I first believed! Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, University of Cambridge. Ēriks has won multiple Through many dangers, toils and snares, awards for his work and undertakes many I have already come; international residencies working on his music ’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and lecturing. And grace will lead me home. Recent premieres include Lakes Awake at The Lord has promised good to me, Dawn for the Boston Symphony and City of His word my hope secures; Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Whispers He will my shield and portion be on the Prairie Wind for the Utah Symphony and As long as life endures. Salt Lake Vocal Artists, St Luke Passion for the Latvian Radio Choir and Sinfonietta Riga, of Volcano Symphony – his second multimedia Radio Choir and Sinfonietta Riga on Ondine, When we’ve been there ten thousand years, and the major multimedia symphony Nordic symphony – by Latvian Symphony Orchestra ORA on Harmonia Mundi, and VOCES8 on Decca Bright shining as the sun, Light in the US, Canada, and Germany. His and State Choir Latvija. Classics, amongst others. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise full-scale opera The Immured was premiered Than when we first begun. at the Latvian National Opera in 2016 to great His compositions appear on recordings from eriksesenvalds.com acclaim. His writing continues with commissions Trinity College Choir, Cambridge on Hyperion, John Newton (1725-1807) from the Gewandhaus Leipzig and Grant Park Portland State Chamber Choir on Naxos, Latvian Music Festival Chicago. 2018 saw the premiere

- 16 - - 17 - PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY Directors Association. In 2018 the choir CHOIR OF THE WEST performed at the Northwestern Division ACDA conference, and gave a highly acclaimed The Choir of the West is the premier choral performance at the 2013 ACDA National ensemble at Pacific Lutheran University, located Conference held in Dallas. Choir of the West in Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1926, the performed a featured concert at the 2015 choir was the third Lutheran college choir to National Collegiate Choral Organization tour extensively throughout the United Conference under the direction of headliner States. Choir of the West has toured Europe, Simon Carrington. The choir won two gold Scandinavia, Japan and China, and has awards at the 2011 Harmonie Festival in performed at several state, division and Lindenholzhausen, Germany, and won two national conferences of the National Association categories at the 2015 Anton Bruckner for Music Education and the American Choral Competition in Linz, Austria. The choir was © John Froschauer, PLU

- 18 - - 19 - awarded the Anton Bruckner Prize as the most The Choir of the West is comprised of RICHARD NANCE outstanding ensemble in the competition. undergraduate students from a variety of academic disciplines. The choir performs several Richard Nance is Director of Choral Activities Choir of the West regularly participates in concerts each year, including shared programs and conductor of the Choir of the West and premieres of important new works, including with other PLU ensembles, an annual series Choral Union at Pacific Lutheran University. the chamber version of JAC Redford’s Homing, of five Christmas Concerts (filmed for broadcast Nance’s choirs have been regularly selected to the North American premiere of Ēriks Ešenvalds’ on PBS in 2015), and campus celebratory perform at regional and national conferences Nordic Light Symphony (2017) and Sven-David events. The choir tours domestically in three of the American Choral Directors Association Sandström’s Matthauspassion (2016). out of four years, and once every four years (ACDA) and the National Association for tours internationally. www.plu.edu/choir Music Education.

Nance’s choirs have toured Europe on several Soprano Emily Shane Karl Eickhoff occasions and have won top awards at Ally Atwood Cat Tyler Luke Hartley prestigious competitions. His choirs have Natalie Breshears Brent Johnson regularly given premiere performances of Elissa Brown Tenor Ethan Moon important new works by renowned composers Gillian Dockins Daniel Beal Dalton Rouse as well as many young, rising composers. Haley Kim Joshua Carlisle Manuel Tirado Julie Landes Blayne Fujita Dr. Nance has published choral works with Marissa Moultrie Logan Kropp Jennifer Gorham Guest Soprano Walton Music, Hinshaw Music and Colla Voce Stephanie Pfundt Sean Murphy Music. In 2002, Nance was selected to write the Austin Schend Instrumentalists prestigious Raymond Brock Memorial Composition Alto Nick Stevens Jennifer Rhyne, bass flute for the American Choral Directors Association. Lydia Bill Ethan Wiederspan Zane Šmite, Jew’s Harp Rachel Bridges Dave Rowell, Whistler Richard Nance has been recognized for his Rebekah Dumestre Bass Dalton Rouse, Guitar work as conductor and scholar, having received Alicia Hoag Ben Axlund Manuel Tirado, Guitars the 2011 and 2013 “American Prize” for Alyssa Lyngaas Brennan Brichoux Luke Hartley, Sopranino recorder Choral Conducting, the “Outstanding Conductor”

Morgan Myers Chris Conway award at the 2014 Florence International © April Santo Domingo

- 20 - - 21 - Choir Festival, and the 2013-2014 K.T. Tang is committed to developing in all students Faculty Excellence Award for Research from an understanding of the intercultural and Pacific Lutheran University. He has twice been intellectual richness of the world. More than granted Regency Advancement Awards at 40 percent of PLU students spend time PLU. In July of 2010 Dr. Nance received the studying abroad. Washington State Leadership Award from the American Choral Directors Association, and All works published by Musica Baltica and exclusively distributed worldwide by Edition Peters. in 2016 he received the ACDA Northwestern Division Leadership and Service Award. Recorded in Lagerquist Concert Hall, Mary Baker Russell Music Building, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, USA from 4-10 April 2018. Recording Engineer – John Struzenberg PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY Producer – Adrian Peacock Editors – Adrian Peacock, Dave Rowell Mix and Mastering – Dave Rowell Pacific Lutheran University is a comprehensive institution with an enrollment of approximately Cover Image – Shutterstock Design and Artwork – Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk 3,100, including international students from two dozen countries. Located in a uniquely P 2020 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd scenic region on the Pacific Rim, the university’s © 2020 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd campus is 40 miles south of Seattle in suburban Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Tacoma, Washington. The university offers Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance students a unique blend of academically rigorous Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or liberal arts and professional programs that otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. prepare them for a lifetime of success - both in their careers and in service to others. A full SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middlesex, UB6 7LQ, UK. +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 range of liberal arts academic programs are E-mail: [email protected] www.signumrecords.com offered - such as psychology, history and the natural sciences - with professional study in the arts and communication, business, education, nursing, social work and physical education. Masters degrees are offered in five fields. PLU

- 22 - - 23 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Invisible Stars: Choral Works of Ireland and Scotland Roderick Williams: Sacred Choral Works The Choral Scholars of University College, Dublin Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir Desmond Earley conductor Ralph Allwood conductor SIGCD436 SIGCD517

“For sheer beauty of sound and contemplative luxuriousness, this “Attractive and beautifully written music, which deserves a much debut by the mixed-voice Choral Scholars of University College, wider audience…Allwood obtains a vivid, rich blend from his Dublin is an altogether captivating experience. Lovers of elegantly 27 Greenwichian voices, eight of whom do splendid service as crafted singing will find much to enjoy here in a survey of Irish soloists, most notably Rebecca Leggett.” and Scottish songs that also reaches across the Atlantic in the Gramophone Appalachian-accented “Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair” … Vocal solos are pristinely realised, the ensemble sound gilded and glowing.” Classical Ear

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 - 20 - CTP Template: CD_INL1 COLOURS Compact Disc Back Inlay CYAN Customer SignumClassics MAGENTA YELLOW Catalogue No.SIGCD603 BLACK Job Title: Soft Rains SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD603

THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS

ĒRIKS EŠENVALDS EŠENVALDS: THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS CHOIR OF THE WEST / NANCE

1 There Will Come Soft Rains [3.57] 2 The New Moon [3.48] 3 Long Road [6.10] 4 Rivers of Light [5.58] 5 Northern Lights [6.20] 6 Only in Sleep [5.31] 7 O, She Doth Teach The Torches To Burn Bright [5.35] 8 A Soldier’s Mother’s Lullaby [6.52] 9 Spring Rain [5.18] 0 In My Little Picture Frame [4.51] q Evening [3.51] w My Luve Is Like A Red, Red Rose [3.53] e Stars [4.02] r Amazing Grace [5.22]

Total timings: [71.07]

THE PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY CHOIR OF THE WEST

CHOIR OF THE WEST / NANCE / WEST THE OF EŠENVALDS: THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS CHOIR RICHARD NANCE CONDUCTOR

LC15723

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