Written over the course of almost a decade and recorded during the first year of the pandemic,’Amor Aeternus’ is a 10 movement choral-orchestral classical Latin Requiem and Heidi’s entree into large-scale choral writing. Exquisite vocal lines, soaring choruses and poignant instrumental accompaniment depict Heidi’s observations of mankind’s evolution. Purchase the Album (https://www NULL.heidibreyer NULL.com/product-page/amor-aeternus-a-requiem-for-the-common-man) Amor Aeternus had its live premiere in Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, NYC, on July 21st, 2022.
Laudato Si’, an encyclical issued by Pope Francis in 2015, calls on humanity to acknowledge the urgency of the human caused environmental crisis and to work towards building a more just and sustainable world. Addressing not only people of faith, but everyone on earth, Laudato Si’ challenges us to engage in new dialogue and take action. Chase’s new oratorio, For Our Common Home interprets the text as a call to action through music. Boston based composer, flutist and professor, Linda J. Chase has composed a 75 minute, 18 movement genre–crossing oratorio for choir, soloists, and chamber ensemble. (Still in production—check composer’s website for updates (https://www NULL.lindajchase NULL.com/copy-of-about))
Every December, Seven Times Salt (https://www NULL.seventimessalt NULL.com/) celebrates the winter solstice and the return of the unconquered sun. This compilation of live recordings (https://www NULL.seventimessalt NULL.com/merch/p/a-jolly-wassail-bowl) is taken from several years performances and features festive wassailing songs, wintry tunes, familiar carols, rousing shape note hymns, Sephardic delights, Renaissance dances, Irish reels, and more. Purchase the album (https://www NULL.seventimessalt NULL.com/merch/p/a-jolly-wassail-bowl)
Patricia Van Ness’s choral cycle “Birds of the Psalms” is a selection of ten psalms scored for a cappella choir. Van Ness explores the pure and the divine in carefully constructed, aesthetically crafted soundscapes, running the gamut of the human condition from profound serenity to fervent longing. Listen on Spotify (https://open NULL.spotify NULL.com/album/3iGBKXMe6MPIPVdFI68Sea?si=O-zktoCvTeq2plhHzmXxxg)
Exultet Terra (“Let the Earth Be Glad”) is a suite of five movements for double choir and double reed quintet of English horn, oboes, and bassoons. Tann cites Hildegard von Bingen as a special influence on these compositions. In this and shorter works, Tann sets texts by Anne Bradstreet, widely considered North America’s first published female poet, Welsh poet R. S. Thomas, George Herbert, along with Bible verses. Listen on Spotify (https://open NULL.spotify NULL.com/album/3Wj3MGu1MgjbXEbVhFOcHn?si=HLxR2-QtSR-ge0TxA6CPZw)
God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning is a one-of-a-kind Planetarium show that explores humankind’s oldest questions, offers exciting new possibilities, and unveils the startling interplay between science and religion as they both strive to illuminate our deepest mysteries. Written and narrated by international bestselling author Dan Brown and produced by the Museum of Science, Boston. See the show (https://www NULL.mos NULL.org/planetarium/search-for-meaning)
Libby Meyer is a composer whose work reflects the natural rhythms and patterns of the world around her. This recording of her music includes works for vocal ensemble as well as chamber ensembles. Performers on this recording include Cappella Clausura and the Juventas New Music Ensemble. Listen to excerpts (http://www NULL.libbymeyermusic NULL.com/music) Purchase the album (https://www NULL.albanyrecords NULL.com/mm5/merchant NULL.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AR&Product_Code=TROY1887&Category_Code=a-NR)
Mike McNutt is a bagpiper and multi-instrumentalist. Redline is his debut solo album, featuring a wide canvas of traditional music with a contemporary influence. “She Moved Through the Fair” (https://open NULL.spotify NULL.com/track/12nakQaIW3jEJU0d3ThCIQ?si=ea5be9049d094397) features vocals by yours truly. Listen on Spotify (https://open NULL.spotify NULL.com/album/4M3uUcKhQVkXw1VeGuqWNf?si=U1Oau0gCS0q-VHO-haaWFA)
As a teenager, Vittoria Aleotti went to live and study at the Convent of San Vito in Ferrara, and at the age of fourteen, Vittoria decided to devote herself to religious life. Before she took her vows, her father provided her with some madrigal texts to set to music. This collection of madrigals was published in 1593, after which Vittoria Aleotti was never heard from again. However, a nun known as Raffaella Aleotti began to write… Listen on Spotify (https://open NULL.spotify NULL.com/album/5nXpt3wxF03lzbipjAfuhx?si=Oup06bPYQCihQLm5LwktEQ)
