CHORAL AND VOCAL WORKS
A Place Called Home (2007)
SSAATTBB and piano.
Words and Music by Adrienne Albert
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (2003) (ASCAP)
Score and MP3 Files Will Be Coming Soon!

"A Place Called Home" is the choral work from the last movement of my "Alaskan Symphony". Spending time with the people who live in the Kenai Peninsula outide of Anchorage gave me great joy and led to my wanting to write about their life up there, how they live among the wildlife, animals and changes of seasons. It is a place I look forward to returning to, and this piece tells about this remarkable people.
The Cherry Tree
Carol
for medium voice and piano.
Traditional English Carol
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (2003) (ASCAP)

Commissioned by Jorge Mester, conductor of
the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra and Kimball Wheeler, Mezzo-soprano
for their friend, pianist, Estelle Schlueter, "The Cherry Tree Carol"
is one of the most popular of English religious folk ballads. During
Medieval times, it was frequently dramatized in folk plays and pageants.
A lovely, haunting melody, this song has been set in many varying
ways. There are numerous verses that are sung, some of them predicting
Jesus' birth date, some of His death and resurrection. A beautiful
ballad for the Christmas season.
Et In Terra Pax (2007)
SATB a cappella
Words and music by Adrienne Albert
Duration: approx 3:00
Score and MP3 Files Will Be Coming Soon!
Commissioned by The Gregg Smith Singers through a Meet The Composer grant, the GSS premiered this choral piece at the 34th Annual Adirondacks Music Festival in Saranac Lake, NY in the summer of 2007.
In This Place (1994)
Words by Fred Haines
Duration: approx 2:20

Originally performed as the third piece in
the song cycle with words by my friend, Fred Haines, this tonal
work reflects the continuation of life after the loss of a loved
one. Reflective with some dissonance.
Let Love Not
Fail (2002)
Words by Ivan Gallardo
Voice, flute and piano or organ (ASCAP)

Let Love Not Fail (2002) is a beautiful poem
by Ivan Gallardo which he wrote for his bride-to-be, Jeannine
Wagner, in honor of their marriage. I happily set his words
to music, and the song was performed at their wedding in 2002. More recently, it was sung by the wonderful sopranos, Elissa Johnston, Stephanie Dreisbach, Lynda-Sue Marks Guarnieri and numerous others. It
is a tender, heartfelt song which can be performed with/ without
the flute, violin and piano/organ. A perfect wedding song!
Let Love Not
Fail (2002)
Words by Ivan Gallardo
Version for Voice, flute and/or violin and piano or organ (ASCAP)

Please see the above. Can also be sung during a meditative service.
Meditation
(1998)
SSAATB
Duration: approx 6:00
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (ASCAP)

Premiered by The
Gregg Smith Singers, New York, NY, January 1999. Los Angeles
premiere by The Wagner
Ensemble, Jeannine Wagner conducting in May, 2000.
MEDITATION for SSAATB was written in 1997 in loving memory of a
former Gregg Smith Singer, Carole Babich Keiser. The piece was conceived
as a Lament utilizing the complex sounds of the human voice singing
vowels rather than words. The only words in the piece are Alleluiah
and Amen. The opening section is like a human cry or wail, followed
by a solemn Alleluiah section in G minor. The last section, in C
(for Carole) minor is a long Amen representing the inability to
say good-bye to a loved one. .
Night
SSAATTBB; Words by William Blake
Duration: approx 5:30
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (ASCAP) (1999)

Premiered by The
Gregg Smith Singers, Saranac Lake, NY, July, 1999 through
a Meet The Composers grant. Most recently, beautifully performed by The Wagner Ensemble, Jeannine Wagner conducting.
SONG CYCLE to texts
by Edgar Alan Poe
A work in progress (2008-09)
Commissioned for Richard
Bernstein, noted bass-baritone. This song cycle will be approx
15-20 minutes in length and will incorporate poems of POE's middle
period. Its original form is for voice and piano for recitals. I
hope to orchestrate the pieces for chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra.
Two Songs for Alto or Tenor and Piano
Texts by Fred Haines
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (1994) (ASCAP)
In Memorium: I
Cannot Bear To See,
Duration: approx
2:00

Valentine's
Day,
Duration: approx 2:00
Bruce Sledge,
tenor
Premiered at the Pacific Composers Forum New Music for Voice and
Piano concert in May 1994. When I was asked to compose these songs
for this program, I turned to Fred Haines for a number of beautiful
poems. I chose to set Valentines Day because it flowed musically
for me, was about life and its possibilities and an important counterpoint
to In Memorium, the first of his poems to which I was attracted.
At the time I was preparing these songs, my father was preparing
to die. His poetry spoke to the unbearable pain and sadness that
was in me. These songs are dedicated to my father, Sam Albert, who
passed away two months before this concert.
The Owl and The Pussycat (2010)
Words by Edward Lear
Duration: approx 6:00
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (ASCAP)

When I was a singer, I recorded The Owl and the Pussycat by Igor Stravinsky for Columbia Records with the composer present! I have always loved the song - and the poem - and decided to set this delightful poem to my own music. Premiered in March 2010 in New York City by the wonderful Arietha Lockhart, coloratura soprano and the equally wonderful Mary Au, piano on a concert titled Faces of Eve, my "Owl" is a deliciously charming tale of love and delight. Anyone who loves this poem will love my setting of it (she says "modestly":-)
Two Jenny Joseph Songs
Words by Jenny Joseph
Duration: approx 5:00
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (2002) (ASCAP)
The Sun Has Burst the Sky (ASCAP)

One That Got Away (ASCAP)

Wonderful,
sprightly, playful songs for soprano or tenor. Lyrics by the poet,
Jenny Joseph, who wrote "When I Grow Old, I Shall Wear Purple".
Engaging songs to have fun with.
Weaver of Dreams (2006)
SSAATTBB and piano.
Words by Dianna Wolfe
Published by Kenter Canyon Music (2003) (ASCAP)
Score and MP3 Files Will Be Coming Soon!
This song was commissioned by Renee Henderson, music director of the Kenai Peninsula High School Choir and has been performed in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. A joyful song about place and dreams. |