Christopher Bell Producer James Ginsburg Engineers Eric Arunas, Bill Maylone Grant Park Chorus Patch Session Director Carlos Kalmar Songs of Smaller Creatures and other American choral works Christopher Bell, conductor Cover Lurie Garden, looking toward the , Millenium Park, Kristy Lapidus, Ransacked Muse Photography — www.ransackedmuse.com (b. 1980) (b. 1937) Back Cover photo by Norman Timonera Toward Sunshine, Toward Freedom: bl Acrostic Song from Final Alice (4:47) Recorded in concert at the for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, Songs of Smaller Creatures* (9:07) Amy Conn, soprano Chicago, June 28 and 30, 2011 1 1. the bees’ song (1:11) Graphic Design Nancy Bieschke Hanna Dixon, soprano (b. 1923) 2 Seven Motets for the Church’s Year (11:06) PUBLISHERS 2. a noiseless, patient spider (4:08) Betinis Toward Sunshine, Toward Freedom: Songs of Smaller Creatures © 2005 Abbie Betinis Susan Nelson, soprano bm While All Things Were in Quiet Silence (1:53) (abbiebetinis.com). All Rights Reserved. Kesselman Buzzings ©1977 Lee Kesselman (kesselmanpress. 3 3. envoi (3:42) bn Before the Morning Star Begotten (0:58) com). Whitacre When David Heard © 2000, Sleep © 2002 Walton Music Corporation (waltonmusic. bo Lay Up for Yourselves (1:00) com). International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Garrop Sonnets of Desire, Longing, LEE KESSELMAN (b. 1951) bp Praise Him Who Was Crucified (1:00) and Whimsy © 2004 Stacy Garrop (garrop.com). All Rights Reserved. Del Tredici Acrostic Song from Buzzings: Three Pieces about Bees* bq God Is Gone Up (1:23) Final Alice © 1978 Boosey & Hawkes. Rorem Seven Motets for the Church’s Year © 1988 Boosey & (4:11) br Today the Holy Spirit Appeared (2:19) Hawkes, Inc. Copyright for All Countries. All Rights Reserved. 4 I. To make a prairie (1:33) Katherine Gray Noon, soprano Cedille Records is a trademark of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation 5 II. A Bee his burnished Carriage (1:05) bs Rejoice We All in the Lord (2:17) devoted to promoting the finest musicians and ensembles in the Chicago area. The Chicago Classical Recording 6 III. Bee! I’m expecting you! (1:28) Foundation’s activities are supported in part by contributions and grants from individuals, foundations, corporations, PAUL CRABTREE (b. 1960) and government agencies including the Alphawood Foundation, Irving Harris Foundation, Mesirow Financial, NIB ERIC WHITACRE (b. 1970) Five Romantic Miniatures* (6:50) Foundation, Negaunee Foundation, Sage Foundation, and the Arts Council, a state agency. This project is 7 When David Heard (11:43) bt Abe (1:38) cm Marge (1:17) partially supported by a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Peter Sovitsky, tenor cu Lisa (0:43) Hoss Brock, tenor CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHICAGO CLASSICAL RECORDING FOUNDATION cl Homer (0:50) cn Homer (2:12) MAY BE MADE AT WWW.CEDILLERECORDS.ORG OR 773-989-2515. STACY GARROP (b. 1969) Sonnets of Desire, Longing, and Whimsy* ERIC WHITACRE CEDILLE RECORDS trademark of (7:45) co Sleep (4:25) The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation 1205 W Balmoral Ave. 8 I. Now by this moon, Chicago IL 60640, USA before this moon shall wane (2:45) 773.989.2515 tel - 773.989.2517 fax WWW.CEDILLERECORDS.ORG 9 II. Time does not bring relief; CDR 90000 131 P & C 2012 Cedille Records you all have lied (3:13) All Rights Reserved. Made in U.S.A bu III. I shall forget you presently, TT: (60:42) my dear (1:41) * World Premiere Recording 2 3 SONGS OF SMALLER CREATURES a Jerome Composers Commissioning Grant, Persian, Spanish, Tang-era Chinese, of the complete work, by the University and other American choral works Esoterics’ Polyphonos Young Composer and gibberish (in which she is most of Minnesota Chamber under the Notes by Dr. Richard E. Rodda Prize, Craig and Janet Swan Composer fluent), and has recently completed a direction of Kathy Romey, came on March Prize, awards from the American Com- song cycle featuring the Norwegian 26, 2006 at the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Toward Sunshine, Toward Freedom: posers Forum, ASCAP and Minnesota poetry of Rolf Jacobsen. Her text Paul, Minnesota. The composer writes: Songs of Smaller Creatures (2005) Music Educators Association, and com- setting has been called imaginative Hans Christian Andersen once wrote Abbie Betinis (b. 1980) missions from more than forty noted and sensitive, even while pushing (in the voice of a butterfly): “Just Abbie Betinis, born in musical organizations; in 2009, she was performers to explore extended vocal living is not enough … One must Stevens Point, Wisconsin named a McKnight Artist Fellow. In techniques such as yodeling, crying, have sunshine, freedom and a little in 1980 and now living 2006, Betinis launched a self-publishing whistling, glottal grunting, or bird- flower.” Toward Sunshine, Toward in St. Paul, Minnesota, company, and now markets and dis- calling. Her recent projects investigate Freedom: Songs of Smaller Creatures holds a bachelor’s tributes her own scores internationally. topics as varied as ancient Greek love comprises three tone-poems for degree in music with a Since 2001, Minnesota Public Radio has charms and binding spells, African mixed a cappella chorus, each a linguistics concentra- partnered with American Public Media to melorhythm, early American shape- character study on a small creature tion from St. Olaf Col- record her annual, original Christmas carol note singing, and Sufi mysticism. A from the natural world. lege and a master’s degree in music — composed in the family tradition of her recent piece for the Rose Ensemble The first, the bees’ song, takes its composition from the University of great-uncle Alfred Burt (The Star Carol, All explores the pre-Christian Gaelic silly text from British poet Walter Minnesota, where her primary teacher was on a Christmas Morning) — for broadcast tradition of keening in a staged piece de la Mare, who included no less Judith Lang Zaimont. Betinis also spent to an estimated listening audience of for solo soprano, mixed chorus, Gaelic than 33 ‘Z’s’ in his poem of the same two summers in Paris on Cynthia Lilley 800,000. harp, bodhran, and vielle. Scholarships from the European-American name. This musical setting highlights Abbie Betinis wrote (in the third person) Betinis composed Toward Sunshine, those ‘Z’ sounds, as each part buzzes Musical Alliance to study harmony and of her choral compositions: Toward Freedom: Songs of Smaller counterpoint with faculty from the Juilliard around, looking for a nice cadence Always an enthusiast of language, Creatures in 2005. This piece was selected to land on. The second movement, School and Paris Conservatory. Since as a finalist in the Young Composers 2005, Betinis has served as Composer- Betinis enjoys delving into ancient which takes its title and text from and modern texts in the hope of Competition of the Young New Yorkers’ ’s A noiseless, patient in-Residence for the Schubert Club in Chorus, which performed the first two Minnesota; she has also held residencies inspiring greater cultural literacy and spider, compares the questing exchange. She has set texts in English, movements on June 2, 2005 under the soul to that of a spider able to with the Singers-Minnesota Choral Artists direction of Nathan Davis. The premiere and the Rose Ensemble. She has received Gaelic, ancient Greek, Latin, medieval know her position in the world by

4 5 launching and trusting her web. Kesselman, who holds undergraduate As a composer, Lee Kesselman is best The composer writes: Set for eight-part chorus, the piece degrees in piano and composition known for his vocal works, which include These three choral vignettes are begins with each of the voice parts from Macalester College in Saint Paul, (The Bremen Town Musicians inspired by the whimsical poetry of representing a leg of the solitary Minnesota and a master’s degree in and The Emperor’s New Clothes), music Emily Dickinson. To make a prairie, a spider as she walks slowly to the conducting from the University of for chorus, and solo songs. His works pastoral musing, should be performed edge of the promontory. Suddenly Southern California, is the founder for children have brought him national leisurely, almost tasting the atmo- she “launches forth filament” and and Music Director of the New Classic attention — The Bremen Town Musicians sphere the poet paints, but allowing the voices begin the process of Singers, a professional choral ensemble, has been performed over 300 times — occasional flights of fancy. A Bee his weaving a web of their own. envoi and directs the DuPage Chorale and and commissions to write for school and burnished Carriage pokes fun at the uses Charles Swinburne’s simple College of DuPage Chamber Singers. He university as well as community, eternal skirmish of love and mating, text to illustrate the flocking and has also taught at Doreen Rao’s Choral church, and professional ensembles. set in the metaphor of the Bee and migrating of a mass of butterflies. Music Experience Institute in Chicago His distinctions include annual ASCAP the Rose. Its insistent, driving rhythms The nonsense syllables seek to since its inception in 1986, served on the Awards since 1994 and prizes in the portray the ardent quality of the Bee’s propel the piece while providing a faculty of the Académie International de Melodious Accord Composition Search love, and yet the piece ends with an subtle flapping of tiny wings, as if Chant Choral in Parthenay, France for (New York), Chautauqua Chamber Singers ironic glance at the Rose. In Bee! I’m the singers are suddenly there in the two summers, and addressed state and Composition Contest, Chautauqua Child- expecting you! the Fly “types” a brief thick of the migration. divisional conventions of the American ren’s Chorale Composition Contest, and note to its friend the Bee, hopping Choral Directors Association. In addition, Illinois Choral Directors’ Association Contest. Buzzings: Three Pieces about Bees (1976) from key to key. The Fly exhorts the Kesselman performs as a pianist, Kesselman composed Buzzings: Three Lee R. Kesselman (b. 1951) Bee to come quickly and join in the accompanying many of Chicago’s finest Pieces about Bees in 1976 for Paul days of Summer. Lee R. Kesselman, born singers in recital and appearing on the Rusterholz, then a Doctor of Musical Arts in Milwaukee in 1951, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts degree candidate in Choral Conducting When David Heard (1998–1999) has been Director of and the Live! From Studio One series at the University of Southern California. Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Choral Activities at the on WFMT-FM. As a conductor, he serves Rusterholz led the work’s premiere as part Eric Whitacre initially College of DuPage in as music director for a variety of local of his graduation recital on February 20, gained notice when he Glen Ellyn, Illinois since and musical theater productions, 1977 at the United Methodist Church of received First Prize for 1981; he was named including conducting ’s West Covina, California. Cloudburst in the Ameri- Outstanding Faculty Postcard from Morocco for Opera- can Choral Directors Member at the College for 1994–1995. Works! in Madison, Wisconsin. Association’s “Composers

6 7 of the Future” competition in 1993; he was soprano section…. The first piece we and Asia; serving as chorus master for a week of its release. In 2010, Whitacre 23 years old and had only started reading sang was the Mozart Requiem. It was the Nevada Symphony Orchestra; and organized the first “Virtual Choir,” in musical notation five years before. Born like seeing color for the first time, and fulfilling residencies with Cambridge which 185 vocalists from twelve countries in Reno, Nevada in 1970, Whitacre taught I was regularly moved to tears during University, Pacific Chorale, Cincinnati individually submitted videos of their himself piano, and played synthesizers rehearsals, crushed by the impossible Conservatory of Music, Northwestern singing the appropriate voice part while and wrote a few tunes for a garage band beauty of the work. I became a choir University, Marktoberdorf Music Festival watching him conduct his Lux Aurumque in high school. Although he had no geek of the highest magnitude. (Germany), NOW Con-temporary Music on YouTube; the finished video of the formal training and was not fluent reading Festival (Columbus, Ohio), and Mid mixed voices received over a million In the fall of 1991, Whitacre used his music, he showed enough ambition and Europe Festival (Schladming, Austria, the views in just two months. Virtual Choir 2.0 new-found notational skills to make an talent that he was admitted, in 1988, to biggest wind orchestra festival in Europe). (April 2011, performing Sleep) involved a cappella setting of Edmund Waller’s the University of Nevada/Las Vegas as a He has also collaborated with composer over 2,000 voices from 58 countries Go, Lovely Rose for Weiller; Weiller not music education major, vaguely hoping Hans Zimmer on the score for the feature (see http://ericwhitacre.com/the-virtual-choir). only performed the work in Las Vegas that it might help his career in pop music. filmPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger In addition to his “Composers of the but also used it to close the choir’s tour (“I was astonished to find that there Tides and written the music, book, and Future” award, Whitacre has been honored concerts in Hawaii the following spring. was no degree program offered for lyrics for Paradise Lost: Shadows and by the Barlow International Composition Later in 1991, Whitacre composed Ghost future pop stars,” he recalled.) It was an Wings, a musical based loosely on Milton. Competition, ASCAP, American Composers Train for symphonic wind band (which has encounter during his sophomore year After being premiered in Pasadena in 2007 Forum, and other leading musical become a staple of the wind ensemble with David Weiller, the choral conductor starring his wife, Grammy Award-winning organizations; in 2001 he became the repertory) and Cloudburst for chorus. at UNLV, that changed Whitacre’s life: soprano Hila Plitman, Paradise Lost won youngest recipient ever awarded the After finishing his baccalaureate at UNLV the ASCAP Harold Arlen Award and the coveted Raymond C. Brock commission He auditioned me to sing in one of in 1995, Whitacre completed his master’s Richard Rodgers Award, and received by the American Choral Directors his groups and graciously accepted degree in composition at the Juilliard ten nominations for Los Angeles Stage Association. me into the university chorus. I School during the next two years, studying Alliance Ovation Awards. distinctly remember how weird I with David Diamond and Pulitzer Prize and Whitacre writes: thought the choir people were, with Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano. In 2010, Whitacre signed a core recording When David Heard, commissioned their embarrassing stretches and He moved to Los Angeles in 1997, and contract with Universal/Decca; his debut in 1998 by the Barlow Endowment warm-ups, and undoubtedly the only has since devoted himself to composing; album on that label, Light & Gold, for the Arts for the Brigham Young reason I stayed in class was because conducting concerts, festivals, and choral became the No. 1 Classical Album in University Singers, is based on one there were so many cute girls in the workshops across the Americas, Europe, the United States and England within single, devastating sentence from

8 9 II Samuel 18:33: “When David heard doctorate from University. Among String Quartets; and by the choirs choir, arranged into six sets. Sonnets that Absalom was slain he went up her rapidly accumulating distinctions are Chicago a cappella, Grant Park Chorus, of Desire, Longing, and Whimsy is into his chamber over the gate and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Elaine Princeton Singers, and Volti. Theodore the fourth set. It takes a look at three wept, and thus he said: My son, my Lebenbom Memorial Award, Pittsburgh Presser Company publishes her chamber aspects of love: unreasonable desire; son, O Absalom my son, would God New Music Ensemble’s Harvey Gaul and orchestral works. Her compositions inconsolable longing; and shallow, I had died for thee!” Setting this text Composition Competition, Raymond and have been recorded on the Cedille, whimsical romance. was such a lonely experience, and Beverly Sackler Music Composition Prize, Innova, Equillibrium, Summit, and Ravello Acrostic Song from Final Alice even now just writing these words I two Barlow Endowment commissions, labels. Of particular note, Cedille Records (1974–1975) am moved to tears. I wrote maybe Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s First released in February 2011 the first all- David Del Tredici (b. 1937) 200 pages of sketches, trying to find Hearing Composition Competition, Garrop CD, comprising her String Quartet David Del Tredici made the perfect balance between sound Omaha Symphony Guild’s International No. 3: “Gaia,” Silver Dagger for piano trio, Alice in Wonderland and silence, always simplifying, and New Music Competition, National and In Eleanor’s Words song cycle. the hinge upon which by the time I finished a year later I was Association of Teachers of Singing Garrop wrote of her Sonnets of Desire, a musical revolution profoundly changed. Older, I think, Composition Award, and Longing, and Whimsy, composed in swung. In 1968, when and quieted a little. the New England Philharmonic’s Call 2004 for the San Francisco-based choral the composer first took for Scores Competition. Garrop has Sonnets of Desire, Longing, and Whimsy ensemble, Volti: up Lewis Carroll’s books been in residence with several musical (2004) Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) as creative catalysts, Stacy Garrop (b. 1969) organizations, including the Skaneateles was an American poet who produced tunes and tonality in concert music Festival and the Volti Choral Institute Stacy Garrop, Associate a great body of work in her lifetime. were little in fashion. Though trained in for High School Singers in 2011, Albany Professor and Head Among her works are several books modernist techniques at Berkeley and Symphony Orchestra in 2009/10, and of Composition at of poetry, essays, plays, an opera Princeton, Del Tredici said, “I couldn’t Chicago’s Music in the Loft chamber the Chicago College libretto, and over 200 sonnets. The imagine setting a Carroll text to dissonant music series in 2004/05 and 2006/07. Her of Performing Arts of topics of her sonnets range from love music,” and he used traditional styles works have been performed by the Grant Roosevelt University, to politics to the fate of mankind. They of melody and harmony for what would Park Orchestra; the Minnesota Orchestra; received her bacca- are beautifully constructed, and I find prove to be a career-defining series of the Detroit, Albany, Charleston, Illinois, laureate from the that many of them are well suited to works based on , showing how the Omaha, and Amarillo Symphonies; and Alice University of Michigan, her master’s degree be set to music. From 2000–2006, I set language of Straussian Late Romanticism the Civic Orchestra of Chicago; by the from the University of Chicago, and her sixteen of her sonnets for a cappella could be renewed and enriched after the Cecilia, Chiara, Biava, Enso, and Artaria

10 11 post-World War II period of dedicated are painted as vividly as possible. Seven Motets for the Church’s Year first opera (A Childhood Miracle), a ballet modernism. Del Tredici has since drawn But “between the lines,” as it were, (1977, 1986) (Melos), several song cycles, a symphony, upon other sources of inspiration for his is the implied love story of Lewis Ned Rorem (b. 1923) and a piano concerto. In 1950, he won work, but the lyricism, tonality-based Carroll and Alice Liddell, as suggested Ned Rorem, one of the Lili Boulanger Prize for composition. harmonies, and glowing sonorities that he by the poems Alice Gray and the America’s most prominent On a Fulbright scholarship in 1951–1952, rediscovered for Alice in Wonderland have Acrostic Song. ... When the dream composers and this he studied with Arthur Honegger in Paris, not only remained essential elements of of all that has gone before seems country’s leading ex- and remained in that city for the next his style, but have also become important completely dissipated, forgotten, all ponent of the art song, five years, composing prodigiously and forces in much of the new American music energy spent — then we hear, sung was born in 1923 in recording his experiences in The Paris of the last forty-plus years. with quiet ecstasy, the Acrostic Song, Richmond, Indiana, and Diary, the first of his published books. Del Tredici composed Final Alice for the epilogue poem of Through the raised in Chicago. Since returning to the United States in soprano, folk group, and orchestra Looking Glass, the clearest expression Throughout his school years, he took 1957, Rorem has devoted himself largely in 1974–1975 on a commission from of Lewis Carroll’s tender affection lessons in piano and theory at the to composition and writing, though he the National Endowment for the Arts for his Alice. The acrostic — a visual University of Chicago and at that has also served occasionally as conductor in observance of the United States device — is created by the initial letter city’s American Conservatory. After and as accompanist, and held residencies Bicentennial. Sir Georg Solti conducted of each line, which spell the name of two years at ’s at the State University of New York in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the the “real” Alice: ALICE PLEASANCE School of Music (1940–1942), he won a Buffalo, University of Utah, Santa Fe work’s premiere on October 7, 1976, with LIDDELL. scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute Chamber Music Festival, and Curtis Barbara Hendricks as soloist. In 1979, Del in . He was at Curtis for only Institute. His honors include the Pulitzer Tredici made an arrangement for chorus one year, however, before transferring to Prize (for his 1976 , written as a of the Acrostic Song that closes the work. the Juilliard School in New York, where United States Bicentennial commission The composer wrote: he earned bachelor’s (1946) and master’s for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra), Final Alice, based on the closing (1948) degrees. He spent the summers of election to the American Academy and chapters of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in 1946 and 1947 at Tanglewood as a student Institute of Arts and Letters (of which he Wonderland, tells two stories at of , and also studied was elected President in January 2000), once; primary is the actual tale of composition privately in New York with two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Ford Wonderland itself, with all its bizarre while serving as his copyist. Foundation grant, and a fellowship from and unpredictable happenings, which In 1949, Rorem moved to Morocco, where the National Endowment for the Arts. he produced much music, including his

12 13 In May 2003, he received the American chorus in commemorating the descent of integrate the various strands of my Chamber Music Festival in New Bern, Academy of Arts and Letters’ Gold Medal the Holy Spirit to Christ’s disciples. Rejoice personal history to embrace and North Carolina (2009). for Music, a prize awarded once every six We All in the Lord is a restrained, almost intermingle ideas as diverse as Latin Crabtree found inspiration in The years. mystical musical observance. poetry and 1960s girl groups, yet Simpsons TV program for this set of Five my music maintains a seriousness of Rorem composed the first of hisSeven Five Romantic Miniatures (1999) Romantic Miniatures using texts from the purpose that intensifies both its ‘high’ Motets for the Church’s Year in 1977 on a Paul Crabtree (b. 1960) show that he describes as: commission from Christ Church Cathedral, and ‘low’ cultural references. Paul Crabtree was born …totally serious pieces about these Trinity, and St. James’s in Hartford, Crabtree’s works, most for voices, draw in 1960 in Rugby, Eng- little characters. They’re not cartoony Connecticut; he completed the cycle in upon a wide range of references and land (ten miles east of or cheap in any way. They’re an in- 1986 for the 75th anniversary of All Saints styles: from spiritual settings to Tenebrae Coventry), graduated depth probing of these cartoon Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale, Responsories on Songs by Bob Dylan; from from the Music Faculty lives. ... It is their simplicity and their Florida. The first Motet (Christmas) folksong arrangements to Pax et Bonum, at the University of profundity that drew me to these five reflects the peaceable words of its which ironically juxtaposes the last letter Edinburgh, Scotland, short outbursts of affection. opening phrase: “While All Things Were that a young tenor friend wrote before his where he studied com- 1.Grandpa Simpson re-experiences in Quiet Silence.” Before the Morning Star sudden death with a Shakespeare sonnet position with Kenneth Leighton, and teenage infatuation. 2. Lisa exults in Begotten (Epiphany) recalls the imitative on immortality; from Glenn Miller is won a scholarship for two years of post- the name of her elementary school “fuguing tunes” and sturdy harmonies Missing, which sets Emma Lazarus’ poetry graduate study in composition at the sweetheart. 3. Homer tries to express of the traditional Appalachian hymnal, about the ecstasies of music in the style of Musikhochschule in Cologne, Germany. love for his wife. 4. Marge covers The Sacred Harp. The luminous Lay Up a jitterbug, to Annunciata, which combines Crabtree grew up interested in both her embarrassed son with kisses. for Yourselves (Ash Wednesday) sings of the lovelorn Victorian poetry of Emmeline rock culture and classical music. He was 5. Homer confesses that he has no- the Christian hope of heaven. Praise Him Stuart-Wortley with Gabriel’s message disappointed that his European academic thing to offer his wife but his need Who Was Crucified (first Sunday after to the Virgin. Crabtree’s work has been training never acknowledged the world to be loved. Easter) is Rorem’s modern analogue of recognized with numerous commissions of rock and pop, so he moved to the San the open-interval harmonies of Medieval and an AMC Composer’s Assistance There are two paternal influences Francisco Bay area in 1984 and has since organum. God Is Gone Up (Ascension) is a Program Award (2007), three ASCAPLUS that helped me frame these portraits. remained there and become a United joyous acclamation of the belief in Jesus’ awards (2004, 2007, 2008), a Subito Award The first is my father, Raymond States citizen. He says: ascent into heaven. In Today the Holy from the American Composers Forum Crabtree, whose brutal selfishness and Spirit Appeared (Whitsunday), a solo voice Exposure to the musically permissive (2005), and a residency with the Carolina alarming immaturity were tempered receives affirming “Alleluias” from the culture in the Bay Area led me to by a genuine love which he could not

14 15 express, and who is uncomfortably immortal Stopping By Woods on a set and published Stopping By already written. This was an enormous like Homer Simpson. The second is my Snowy Evening. I was deeply moved Woods on a Snowy Evening for task, because I was asking him to not teacher Kenneth Leighton, to whom by her spirit and her request, and chorus. When I looked online and saw only write a poem that had the exact I looked to provide an academic agreed to take on the commission. all of these new and different settings, structure of the Frost, but that would balance to my own father’s passionate I took my time with the piece, crafting I naturally (and naively) assumed that even incorporate key words from ineffectualness. The Miniatures are it note by note until I felt that it was it was open to anyone. Little did I Stopping, like “sleep.” Tony wrote dedicated to their memory. exactly the way I wanted it. The poem know that the Robert Frost Estate had an absolutely exquisite poem, finding shut down ANY use of the poem just a completely different (but equally Sleep (2000) is perfect, truly a gem, and my general months before, ostensibly because of beautiful) message in the music I Eric Whitacre approach was to try to get out of the this plethora of new settings. had already written. I actually prefer (For biographical information on Eric Whitacre way of the words and let them work see notes for When David Heard above.) their magic. We premiered the piece After a LONG legal battle (many Tony’s poem now… And there it is. My setting of Robert Frost’s Stopping By The composer writes: in Austin, October 2000, and the piece letters, many representatives), the was well received. Rene Clausen gave estate of Robert Frost and their Woods on a Snowy Evening no longer In the winter of 1999 I was contacted it a glorious performance at the ACDA publisher, Henry Holt Inc., sternly and exists. And I won’t use that poem ever by Ms. Julia Armstrong, a lawyer National Convention in the spring of formally forbid me from using the again, not even when it becomes and professional mezzo-soprano 2001, and soon after I began receiving poem for publication or performance public domain in 2038. living in Austin, Texas. She wanted to letters, emails, and phone calls from until the poem became public domain commission a choral work from me conductors trying to get a hold of the in 2038. I was crushed. The piece was that would be premiered by the Austin work. And here was my tragic mistake: dead, and would sit under my bed for Program annotator for the Grant Park Music ProChorus (Kinley Lange, cond.), a I never secured permission to use the next 37 years because of some Festival, Dr. Richard E. Rodda received a terrific chorus in which she regularly prestigious 2010 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award the poem. Robert Frost’s poetry has ridiculous ruling by heirs and lawyers. performed. The circumstances around for his program note for Elgar’s The Dream of been under tight control from his After many discussions with my wife, Geronitius, published in the program book the commission were certainly mem- estate since his death, and until a few I decided that I would ask my friend of the Festival. Dr. Rodda has also provided orable. She wanted to commission years ago only Randall Thompson and brilliant poet Charles Anthony program notes for many of the world’s top the piece in memory of her parents, orchestras and musical institutions and liner (Frostiana) had been given permission Silvestri (Leonardo Dreams of His who had died within weeks of each notes for numerous major and independent to set his poetry. In 1997, out of the Flying Machine, Lux Aurumque, Nox classical record labels. Dr. Rodda teaches other after more than fifty years of blue, the estate released a number of Aurumque, Her Sacred Spirit Soars) at Case Western Reserve University and the marriage; and she wanted me to set titles, and at least twenty composers to set new words to the music I had Cleveland Institute of Music. her favorite poem, Robert Frost’s

16 17 TEXTS 2 2. a noiseless, patient spider Kesselman: Buzzings: Three Pieces Birds, mostly back — Text by Walt Whitman about Bees (1976) The clover warm and thick — Betinis: Toward Sunshine, Toward Texts by Emily Dickinson You’ll get my Letter by Freedom: Songs of Smaller Creatures A noiseless, patient spider, I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, 4 I. To make a prairie The seventeenth; Reply (2005) Or better, be with me — it stood, isolated; To make a prairie it takes a clover Yours, Fly. 1 1. the bees’ song Mark’d how, to explore the vacant vast and one bee, Text by Walter de la Mare surrounding, One clover, and a bee, Thousandz of thornz there be It launch’d forth filament, filament, And revery. On the Rozez where gozez filament, out of itself; The revery alone will do, The Zebra of Zee: Ever unreeling them — ever tirelessly If bees are few. 7 Whitacre: When David Heard Sleek, striped, and hairy, speeding them. (1998–1999) 5 II. A Bee his burnished Carriage The steed of the Fairy And you, O my Soul, where you stand, Based on the King James translation of the Princess of Zee. Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless A Bee his burnished Carriage Bible verse, II Samuel 18:33 Heavy with blossomz be oceans of space, Drove boldly to a Rose — When David heard that Absalom was slain The Rozez that growzez Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing Combinedly alighting — he went up into his chamber over the gate In the thickets of Zee. — seeking the spheres, to connect them; Himself — his Carriage was — and wept, and thus he said: My son, my Where grazez the Zebra, Till the bridge you will need, be form’d — The Rose received his visit son, O Absalom my son, would God I had Marked Abracadeeebra, till the ductile anchor hold; With frank tranquility died for thee! Of the Princess of Zee. Till the gossamer thread you fling, Withholding not a Crescent And he nozez that poziez catch somewhere, O my Soul. To his Cupidity — Their moment consummated Of the Rozez that grozez 3 3. envoi Remained for him — to flee — So luvez’m and free, Text by Charles Swinburne With an eye, dark and wary, Remained for her — of rapture In search of a Fairy, Fly, white butterflies, out to sea, But the Humility. Frail, pale wings for the wind to try, Whose Rozez he knowzez 6 III. Bee! I’m expecting you! Were not honeyed for he, Small white wings that we scarce can see, But to breathe a sweet incense Fly! Bee! I’m expecting you! To solace the Princess Some fly light as a laugh of glee, Was saying Yesterday Of far-away Zee. Some fly soft as a long, low sigh; To Somebody you know All to the haven where each would be. That you were due — Fly! The Frogs got Home last Week — Are settled, and at work —

18 19 Garrop: Sonnets of Desire, Longing, and 9 II. Time does not bring relief; And oaths were not so brittle as they are, Rorem: Seven Motets for the Church’s Whimsy (2004) you all have lied (from Renascence But so it is, and nature has contrived Year (1977, 1986) Texts by Edna St. Vincent Millay and Other Poems, 1917) To struggle on without a break thus far, — bm I. While All Things Were in Quiet Silence 8 I. Now by this moon, before this moon Time does not bring relief; you all have lied Whether or not we find what we are seeking Antiphon of Matins, Christmas I Is idle, biologically speaking. shall wane (from Collected Poems. Who told me time would ease me of my pain! While all things were in quiet silence, and Copyright 1931, © 1958 by Edna St. I miss him in the weeping of the rain; that night was in the midst of her swift bl Del Tredici: Acrostic Song from Vincent Millay and Norma Millay Ellis.*) I want him at the shrinking of the tide; course, thine Almighty Word, O Lord, Final Alice (1974–1975) Now by this moon, before this moon shall The old snows melt from every leaped down out of thy royal throne. Text by Lewis Caroll wane mountain-side, Alleluia. I shall be dead or I shall be with you! And last year’s leaves are smoke in every Epilogue to Through the Looking Glass bn 2. Before the Morning Star Begotten No moral concept can outweigh the pain lane; A boat beneath a sunny sky Antiphon of Evensong, Epiphany Past rack and wheel this absence puts But last year’s bitter loving must remain Lingering onward dreamily me through; Heaped on my heart, and my old In an evening of July — Before the morning star begotten, and Faith, honour, pride, endurance, what thoughts abide. Children three that nestle near, Lord from everlasting, our Saviour is made the tongues There are a hundred places where I fear Eager eye and willing ear, manifest unto the world today. To go, — so with his memory they brim. Of tedious men will say, or what the law — Pleased a simple tale to hear — bo 3. Lay Up for Yourselves For which of these do I fill up my lungs And entering with relief some quiet place Long has paled that sunny sky: Matthew 6:20-21 With brine and fire at every breath I draw? Where never fell his foot or shone his face Echoes fade and memories die: Time, and to spare, for patience by and by, I say, “There is no memory of him here!” Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, Autumn frosts have slain July. where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, Time to be cold and time to sleep alone; And so stand stricken, so remembering him. Still she haunts me, phantomwise, Let me no more until the hour I die and where thieves do not break through bu III. I shall forget you presently, my dear Alice moving under skies Defraud my innocent senses of their own. and steal. For where your treasure is, (from A Few Figs from Thistles, 1920) Never seen by waking eyes. there will your heart be also. Before this moon shall darken, say of me: Children yet, the tale to hear, She’s in her grave, or where she wants I shall forget you presently, my dear, Eager eye and willing ear, bp 4. Praise Him Who Was Crucified So make the most of this, your little day, to be. Lovingly shall nestle near. Antiphon of Evensong in Easter Octave Your little month, your little half a year, In a Wonderland they lie, Ere I forget, or die, or move away, Praise him who was crucified in the *Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Dreaming as the days go by, flesh; glorify him who for your sakes was Company, Inc., on behalf of Holly Peppe, Literary And we are done forever; by and by Executor, The Millay Society, www.millay.org Dreaming as the summers die: buried; worship him who hath risen from I shall forget you, as I said, but now, Ever drifting down the stream — If you entreat me with your loveliest lie the dead. He whom you seek among the Lingering in the golden dream — dead now liveth; and the life of man I will protest you with my favorite vow. Life, what is it but a dream? I would indeed that love were longer- with him hath arisen. Alleluia! lived,

20 21 bq 5. God Is Gone Up co Whitacre: Sleep (2000) CHRISTOPHER BELL Alleluia Verse of Ascension Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri Born in Belfast, Christopher Bell was God is gone up with a merry noise, and Reprinted with the permission of the poet educated at Edinburgh University and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. The evening hangs beneath the moon, held his first post as Associate Conductor The Lord is among them as in the holy A silver thread on darkened dune. of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra place of Sinai; he is gone up on high, he With closing eyes and resting head between 1989 and 1991. Since then, hath led captivity captive. Alleluia! I know that sleep is coming soon. he has worked with many of the major Upon my pillow, safe in bed, br 6. Today the Holy Spirit Appeared orchestras in the UK and Ireland, including A thousand pictures fill my head, Antiphon for the Magnificat of Whitsunday I cannot sleep, my mind’s aflight; the Royal Philharmonic, Royal Scottish Alleluia. Today the Holy Spirit appeared in And yet my limbs seem made of lead. National, BBC Scottish Symphony, Ulster, fire to the disciples and bestowed upon If there are noises in the night, Scottish Chamber, City of Sinfonia, them manifold graces; sending them into A frightening shadow, flickering light; and London Concert. all the world to preach the Gospel and to Then I surrender unto sleep, testify; he that believeth and is baptized Where clouds of dream give second sight. Christopher Bell was Chorusmaster of shall be saved. Alleluia. What dreams may come, both dark and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra bs 7. Rejoice We All in the Lord deep, between 1989 and 2002 and was the first Introit for All Saints Of flying wings and soaring leap Artistic Director of the Edinburgh Royal As I surrender unto sleep, Rejoice we all in the Lord keeping holy Choral Union. For six years he directed As I surrender unto sleep. day in honor of all the Saints; in whose the TOTAL Aberdeen Youth Choir, solemnity the Angels rejoice and glorify undertaking touring and recordings as the Son of God. Christopher Bell enters his 11th season well as many concerts in the Northeast of as Chorus Director of the Grant Park Scotland. He was the first Artistic Director Composer Photo Credits Music Festival in 2012. He serves as of the Ulster Youth Choir between 1999 Kesselman — Andrew Johnson Chorusmaster for the Edinburgh Inter- and 2004, a group he developed into a Whitacre — Marc Royce national Festival and the Royal Scottish critically acclaimed ensemble. Through Garrop — Bill Burlingham National Orchestra Junior Chorus. He was his leadership, the National Youth Choir Del Tredici — Paula Court largely responsible for the formation of the of Scotland has performed at the London Crabtree — David Wakely National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) Proms and Edinburgh International in 1996 and serves as its Artistic Director. Festival, and made numerous recordings and broadcasts on BBC radio.

22 23 For his work with singers (particularly with GRANT PARK CHORUS young vocalists) in Scotland, Christopher Resident ensemble with the Grant Park Bell received a Scotsman of the Year (2001) Orchestra for Chicago’s Grant Park Music award for Creative Talent. In 2003, he was Festival, the Grant Park Chorus was awarded the Charles Groves Prize for his formed in 1962 by Thomas Peck, who contribution to cultural life in Scotland led the group until his death in 1994. His and the rest of the UK. For his services protégé, Michael Cullen, then led the to choral music, Bell was awarded an chorus until 1997, after which a series honorary Master of the University in 2009 of guest conductors worked with the from the United Kingdom’s innovative ensemble until 2002. An international Open University. search resulted in the appointment of Photos by Norman Timonera GRANT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL current Chorus Director, Christopher Bell, who is also founder of Chicago’s The Grant Park Music Festival is dedicated Apprentice Chorale, which features some to providing the public with free, high- of the most talented young vocalists from quality orchestral performances through DePaul and Roosevelt Universities. the presentation of classical music concerts. Founded by the Chicago Park The Grant Park Chorus is a fully District in 1935 and co-presented by the professional ensemble. In addition to Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs frequent solo appearances and teaching since 2001, the festival is the nation’s careers, members of the Grant Park Chorus only remaining free, municipally funded perform in such acclaimed ensembles as outdoor classical music series. In addition Chicago a cappella, the William Ferris to performing an array of classical Chorale, and the repertoire, the festival is known for its and Chicago Symphony Choruses. focus on contemporary American music. Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners The Grant Park Music Festival runs for ten Michael Kelly consecutive weeks each summer. General Superintendent & CEO

24 25 GRANT PARK CHORUS

SOPRANO Elizabeth Grizzell Matthew Schlesinger Laura Amend Deborah Guscott Peter Sovitzky ALSO WITH THE GRANT PARK CHORUS Alyssa Bennett Marjorie Johnston Peter Voigt Stephanie Chamberlin Cassie Makeeff Bill Watson Amy Conn Kristina Pappademos Eric West Amanda Crumley Amy Pickering THE PULITZER PROJECT Hannah Dixon Sarah Ponder CDR 90000 125 Elizabeth Gottlieb Emily Price Katherine Gray Noon Suzanne Shields BASS WILLIAM SCHUMAN — A Free Song* Patricia Hurd Susan Steele Ryan Cox AARON COPLAND — Appalachian Spring Laura Lynch Maia Surace Matt Greenberg LEO SOWERBY — The Canticle of the Sun* Susan Nelson AJ Wester Robert Heitzinger Lijana Pauletti Jan Jarvis Grant Park Orchestra & Chorus Keven Keys Carlos Kalmar, conductor Angela Presutti Korbitz TENOR Alexia Rivera Mathew Lake Christopher Bell, chorus director Cindy Senneke David Anderson Eric Miranda Emily Sinclair Madison Bolt Ryan O’Mealey Hoss Brock Angela Thomas Leo Radosavljevic *World Premiere Recording John Concepcion Benjamin Rivera ALTO Tom Dymit Andrew Schultze Christopher Lorimer “Most ‘concept’ recordings are more interesting theoretically than they are audibly Rebekah Askeland Jeffrey Taylor Kevin McKelvie Scott Uddenberg entertaining. This is one of the rare exceptions. . . . Kudos, then, to Kalmar Karen Brunssen Stephen Noon Stacy Eckert Ron Watkins and his team for putting together a program that really does add Peder Reiff up to more than the sum of its parts. . . . An impressive and important release.”

— ClassicsToday.com

The Grant Park Music Festival would like to thank Dr. Ken Shanoff and Mr. Steve Young, Mr. Richard Tribble, and Jones Day for their support of this project.

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