Both are worthy additions to the repertoire. It simulates a minimalist chant, similar in style to those created for the Taizé community.Īmong Ola Gjeilo’s attractive settings of Christmas texts were the flowing A Spotless Rose - a reasonable alternative to Herbert Howell’s famous version - and Ecce Novum (“Behold a new joy”). Sacred Heart, a setting of the second stanza of the “Ubi caritas” text, was a natural follow-up. In this performance, the composer improvised a piano accompaniment that included jazz elements, French harmonies, and impressionistic sororities. Gjeilo’s unaccompanied setting of the Maundy Thursday liturgical text “Ubi caritas” is modeled on Maurice Duruflé’s setting. The opening music returns at the end, but with the silences collapsed. The opening section emphasizes silence as part of its development, before moving onto a more rhapsodic central section. Serenity is a magnificent setting of the Christmas text “O magnum mysterium” for choir and solo cello. The Spheres, for chorus and strings, is a setting of the Kyrie Eleison from his Sunrise Mass, with striking long chords overlapping each other to create the effect of echoes. Two of the most interesting works on the program were early Gjeilo.
The peril of programming a concert of a single composer’s works in a consistent style is that the music all starts to sound the same.
The choral works are often based on liturgical or biblical texts. His music is tonal and non-threatening, but spiced with enough dissonance to provide interest, and his style is liberally influenced by other composers and genres - John Rutter, Morten Lauridsen, minimalism, and film music. Gjeilo has amassed a large following in recent years for his extensive choral output, much of which has been recorded by well-known ensembles, including Voces8 and the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. On Sunday afternoon, Good Company music director Mike Carney led a concert of fifteen of Gjeilo’s works to a packed sanctuary at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, with the Amethyst Strings and the composer at the piano for several selections. On Saturday, November 3, Gjeilo led a workshop about his music with members of Good Company and singers from Bay Village High School and elsewhere. Very accessible part-writing makes it great for smaller adult choirs or even a youth choir.Good Company: A Vocal Ensemble presented what was likely the biggest project in the group’s 23-year history this past weekend - a two-day residency with Ola Gjeilo (pronounced yay-loh), a Norwegian-born composer now based in the United States. Liebergen)įrom DIXIT by Antonio Vivaldi, this arrangement offers a great opportunity to teach your choir a classic from the repertoire and introduce singing in Latin (both versions of the text are printed in the score). String QuartetĪ classic anthem, very appropriate for a communion Sunday. Pié Jesu (Merciful Jesus) (Mary Lynn Lightfoot)Ĭomposed in memory of the children who lost their lives in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and for all the children who have been victims of violence since, this beautiful requiem is accessible for children’s, youth, or adult choirs. Limited ranges make it very accessible for smaller choirs. Johnson)Ī gentle, sweet setting of this traditional Latin text, with moments of imitation, a contrasting middle section, and a return of the first section at the end. Ubi Caritas (Where Charity Is) (Victor C. Bb Trumpet and TimpaniĪ regal, yet accessible setting of this familiar 5th century Latin text, woven together with original text by Michael Bedford. With text based on John 10:10, this lyrical anthem would be especially appropriate during Lent or in the Sundays after Easter.Ī modern motet with rich, warm harmonies and sweeping lines, retelling the mystery of Christ’s birth. Vitam Habeant (That They May Have Life) (Ruth Elaine Schram) This is a great teaching piece for choirs of all ages! Features a quote of the doxology (in the style of the piece).Ī classical-style anthem of praise, featuring mixed meter, mixed mode, and imitation. PercussionĪ simple, memorable anthem with layered choral parts, a rhythmic, but supportive keyboard accompaniment, and distinctive percussion. The strings add warmth and softness to the gentle, lyrical anthem. Smooth and sustained, the beautiful melodic lines weave together to tell the story of Christmas.