The Song of Ruth, a setting of the most famous passage from the Book of Ruth (Ruth 1:16–17), opens with a gentle polyphonic section for the chorus. (“Do not ask me to leave you, or to stop following you; for where ever you go, I will go, and where you sta...  moreThe Song of Ruth, a setting of the most famous passage from the Book of Ruth (Ruth 1:16–17), opens with a gentle polyphonic section for the chorus. (“Do not ask me to leave you, or to stop following you; for where ever you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”) The soprano joins the choir for the twice-repeated middle section of the piece. The music here is contrastingly homophonic and intense. (“Where you die, I will die and be buried.”) The tune and harmonies are borrowed from a passage in my piece Selections from “The Song of Songs” for male voice and band. That piece is dedicated to my wife, Ruth, hence the connection. If that were not enough, our daughter is named Naomi! The Song of Ruth closes with a recapitulation of the music from the opening, but with new words assigned to it, and with the soprano soloist providing a descant for it. (“May the Lord cause ill fate to befall me, and more, if anything but death separates me and you.”) Appropriat...    less

This is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangeme...  moreThis is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangement and would make a nice change in a carol concert. The vocal parts here are all performed by Matthew Curtis (www.choraltracks.com) This is the mixed choir version (SAATBB) A version for men's voices is also available at http://www.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-85908_ding_dong_merrily_on_high_for_mixed_choir_or_for_men_s_voices.html#85908  less

PRAIRIE SPRING by Greg Bartholomew A setting for SAB choir of the poem by Willa Cather. With optional piano accompaniment. Recording by Matthew Curtis (Choral Tracks). Willa Cather (1873-1947) was an American writer best known for her novels of fron...  morePRAIRIE SPRING by Greg Bartholomew A setting for SAB choir of the poem by Willa Cather. With optional piano accompaniment. Recording by Matthew Curtis (Choral Tracks). Willa Cather (1873-1947) was an American writer best known for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains. Prairie Spring was first published in 1913 as the prologue to the novel O Pioneers! Sheet music is available from J. W. Pepper: https://www.jwpepper.com/11208222.item PRAIRIE SPRING Evening and the flat land, Rich and sombre and always silent; The miles of fresh-plowed soil, Heavy and black, full of strength and harshness; The growing wheat, the growing weeds, The toiling horses, the tired men; The long empty roads, Sullen fires of sunset, fading, The eternal, unresponsive sky. Against all this, Youth, Flaming like the wild roses, Singing like the larks over the plowed fields, Flashing like a star out of the twilight; Youth with its insupportable sweetness, Its fierce necessity, Its shar...    less

Ave Regina coelorum by Manolo Da Rold SATB (divisi)

When the Sun Comes After Rain composed by Matthew Emery, sung by the University of British Columbia University Singers on March 30, 2012. Conducted by Dr Graeme Langager. Matthew Emery (b. 1991) is a multi award winning composer. Originally from Londo...  moreWhen the Sun Comes After Rain composed by Matthew Emery, sung by the University of British Columbia University Singers on March 30, 2012. Conducted by Dr Graeme Langager. Matthew Emery (b. 1991) is a multi award winning composer. Originally from London, Ontario, he currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia and is studying Music Composition with Dr. Stephen Chatman. Emery's choral works have been performed numerous times through out Canada and the USA. His pieces have been performed by: Amabile Boys' and Men's Choir, Amabile Youth Singers, Amadeus Choir of Toronto, Conspirato Chamber Singers, the Choral Project, Jubilate! Chamber Choir, London Pro Musica, Medway Madrigal Choir, Phoenix Chamber Choir, UBC University Singers, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir http://soundcloud.com/matthew-emery  less

(1. The Lute, 2. The Thunderbolt, 3. The Sun) Music by Stanley M. Hoffman (1999) Words by Judah al Harizi, 13th century English Translation by Stanley M. Hoffman Music and Translation: © Copyright 2000 by Ione Press, Inc., a division of ECS Publish...  more(1. The Lute, 2. The Thunderbolt, 3. The Sun) Music by Stanley M. Hoffman (1999) Words by Judah al Harizi, 13th century English Translation by Stanley M. Hoffman Music and Translation: © Copyright 2000 by Ione Press, Inc., a division of ECS Publishing. www.ecspublishing.com All rights reserved. Used by permission. ECS Publishing Catalog No. 6435  

Kantorei of Kansas City is joining forces with composer Matthew Harris on what promises to be an exciting and dynamic recording project. We will be presenting the bulk of our projected album at our spring concerts on May 18th and 19th. Matthew Harris's...  moreKantorei of Kansas City is joining forces with composer Matthew Harris on what promises to be an exciting and dynamic recording project. We will be presenting the bulk of our projected album at our spring concerts on May 18th and 19th. Matthew Harris's highly popular choral works have been commissioned or premiered by leading choruses such as the Dale Warland Singers, Phoenix Bach Choir, Los Angeles Chamber Singers, Western Wind, and Cantori New York, and sung by countless school and community choirs across America. His A Child's Christmas in Wales, a cantata for chorus and orchestra commissioned by Harmonium, is performed throughout the US and the UK. Mr. Harris studied at The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory and Harvard University. He has taught at Fordham University and Kingsborough College (CUNY) and in 1988 founded Harris Musiciology. He lives and works in New York City. G. Schirmer and C. F. Peters publish his music, and Chandos, Albany, Cedille and CRI Records represent him on disc.  less

Thomas Rossin Conducts The Passion according to St. Matthew, The introduction

Kantorei of Kansas City recording of Choral music by Matthew Harris. The album will be released February 2014. www.kantoreikc.org/music-and-poetry Text Art by DO or DIY http://doordiy.wordpress.com

A sampling of Shakespeare Songs by Matthew Harris. Performed by Kantorei of Kansas City for their album, "Music and Sweet Poetry: Choral Music by Matthew Harris," set for release by Resonus Classics in February of 2014. www.resonusclassics.com www.kantor...  moreA sampling of Shakespeare Songs by Matthew Harris. Performed by Kantorei of Kansas City for their album, "Music and Sweet Poetry: Choral Music by Matthew Harris," set for release by Resonus Classics in February of 2014. www.resonusclassics.com www.kantoreikc.org Matthew Harris has composed six books of Shakespeare songs featuring many song texts that appear in various plays. www.matthewharrismusic.com