Earth Song

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Cossettj
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Joined: 14 Jan 2014 13:36

Earth Song

Post by Cossettj »

Hello everyone,

My name is Joseph and I am student teaching right now for secondary. Everything is going well, I am enjoying every second of this wonderful experience. I have the great opportunity to select a piece of literature for my advanced choir. I really wanted to do Earth Song by Frank Ticheli. I found out that they did this song just last year, so I need to find a new one. But I want something in that same style/texture/difficulty. Does anyone have a recommendation? Any help would be greatly appreciated


This is the recording

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aarowtnr-hs
carlos
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Location: São Paulo, Brasil

Re: Earth Song

Post by carlos »

Very nice song. I didn't know Frank Ticheli's work; the similarities between his style and Eric Whitacre's is impressive. I'd suggest a composition by the latter which seems to correspond to your requirements:

Sleep, by Eric Whitacre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4AlcQeaf0
vaarky
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Re: Earth Song

Post by vaarky »

"Sleep" is a great suggestion. Note that it is more challenging in terms of intervals within a line than Ticheli's piece. Some other suggestions, some with similar texture and others with different texture, in case any grab you.

1. Ticheli:
I'm a fan of "Earth Song" by Ticheli, but I actually like his "There Will Be Rest" even better.

2. Schmidt:
You might want to also check out "Lux Aeterna" by Schmidt. I think there are multiple recordings on YouTube, but here's one that's representational:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxrsH7dGWng
(The sop may divided into 3 parts for a note or 3, as I recall, but I think one of those notes is doubled by another voice part and can be omitted).

3. Gjeilo:
I also really like Gjeilo's "Ubi Caritas":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcRqMPBhuyo

(Note that he has more than one setting of Ubi Caritas now, so if you decide to get this, check that it's the same setting. His other setting did not particularly appeal to me or the other singers we sight-read it with.

4. Frank La Rocca:
His O Magnum is simply amazing, satisfying to sing, interesting but not especially difficult to sing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SMLinOVi7c

5. Hawley:
I really like his O Magnum. This recording takes it a bit too fast for my tastes, but you get the idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9vHOvNVEwY

6. Lauridsen:
His music doesn't grab me for some reason, but he tends to be likened in texture to Whitacre and Ticheli's Earth, without being as difficult as Sleep in terms of the intervals. People must either really like his music or else he is marketed very well, because his music is often performed. His O Magnum is the one I'd start with listening to.

7. Barber:
"To Be Sung on the Water" doesn't have that same suspensiony texture, but thought I'd throw it in just in case it grabs you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB5-8x7-9CQ
carlos
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Re: Earth Song

Post by carlos »

Great selection, Vaarky!
vaarky wrote:6. Lauridsen:
His music doesn't grab me for some reason, but he tends to be likened in texture to Whitacre and Ticheli's Earth, without being as difficult as Sleep in terms of the intervals. People must either really like his music or else he is marketed very well, because his music is often performed. His O Magnum is the one I'd start with listening to.
I share your opinion regarding Lauridsen's style, but Eric Whitacre seems to hold him in high regard; a couple of days ago Eric posted on his Facebook page a new composition by Lauridsen and wrote: "Lovely new work by the master, Morten Lauridsen." Someone then asked him "Eric, have you ever had people compare your composing style to Lauridsen's?" and he replied "Often, Joe. And I am humbled and honored every time."
vaarky
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Re: Earth Song

Post by vaarky »

Very gracious of Eric! Wasn't Lauridsen doing that sort of suspensiony thing when Eric was just a teen at music camp? One difference I think I've noticed is that each part in Eric's pieces tends to a more interesting line.
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