Rebecca Oswald - choral & vocal music

The Sunbringer's Tale (SATB chorus; 2222/2220/timp/2perc/hp/stgs); 21:00. This is a single-movement work with four large, smoothly-connected sections. The original text is a myth about the return of the sun after the cold and dark seasons. Premiere: May 2001, University of Oregon Lab Choir and pickup orchestra, conducted by Dr. James Reddan.
   I. Songs from childhood
   II. Gifts for a journey
   III. The long night
   IV. Old songs and new

Journeys to Freedom: Rännakud Vabadusse (large SATB, small SATB, and treble choruses; flute, clarinet, horn, bassoon, percussion); 9:00. This triple-ensemble choral work has five smoothly connected sections incorporating folksongs from the U.S. and Estonia, all sung in their original languages. Celebrating human freedom and dignity, it was co-commissioned and premiered by the McDaniel College Concert Choir, the Masterworks Chorale of Carroll County, and the Children's Chorus of Carroll County, Maryland, conducted by Dr. Margaret Boudreaux.
   I. Immigrant songs
   II. Orphan songs
   III. Songs of slavery and poverty
   IV. Songs of hopelessness and despair
   IV. Songs of welcome

Reciprocity (SATB a cappella with divisi); 11:00, in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tibetan, Chinese, ancient Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Gujarati, and Gurmukhi. Commissioned by the Foundation for Universal Sacred Music, this multi-lingual, multi-faith choral work honors the positive and negative formulations of the ethic of reciprocity ("do unto others..." and "do not do to others..."), often called the "golden rule". The text quotes, in chronological order, eleven of humanity's history-shaping religious teachers and philosophers, going as far back as 3100 B.C., in their original languages as much as possible. Premiere: October 2005, Sangita (chorus) at the Society for Ethical Culture in NYC, conducted by Susanne Peck.

Three Songs of the Soul (SATB a cappella with divisi); 12:00. These three texts are English translations of poems by Dutch metaphysical poet Jan Luyken (1649-1712). These original settings give a nod to the tonal harmonic language prevalent in the poet's lifetime.
   I. The Soul's Devotion at the Rebirth of Life
   II. The Soul Considers Its Nearness to God
   III.The Soul Contemplates the Creator In the Creation

Pied Beauty (SATB a cappella); 1:50. A madrigal-like setting of the charming poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

In The Gloaming (SATB a cappella); 3:30. A choral setting of the popular song written in 1877 by Annie Fortescue Harrison and Meta Orred. This arrangement was commissioned in 2010 by James Reed for Dr. James Reddan, and was recorded by the Linn-Benton Community College Chamber Choir in June 2010, conducted by Dr. James Reddan.

The Light on the Hill (SATB/organ); 3:50. This anthem was commissioned in 2004 as a legacy piece for the First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, Arkansas. An original, inclusive text with music that suggests the church's Scottish roots.

How Sacred Is This Place Today (SATB/organ); 5:00. This anthem was commissioned in 2002 by St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Eugene, Oregon, in honor of the opening of their new building. The English text is from Genesis 28.

Strength and Power Supremely Great (SATB/organ); 3:45. This anthem was commissioned in 2002 by St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Eugene, Oregon, for Lent. The English text is 12th c. anonymous.

Wise Words of Love (SSAA/piano); 13:00. The text of these nine short movements are from Shakespeare's plays, lines spoken by women characters, on various aspects of love. This piece progresses from tongue-in-cheek to deeply romantic and back.
   1. Disdain
   2. Pursuit
   3. The Eyes of Love
   4. Folly
   5. Courtship
   6. Passion
   7. Devotion
   8. Marriage
   9. Parting

Let Him Return (SSA/piano); 6:15. This original text looks at war from the women's perspective: the hopes and prayers common to women of all centuries, countries, and faiths. This piece won Top Honors in the Waging Peace through Singing (2002) international choral composition competition. Its premiere performance was in May 2005 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, by She Sings!, Martha Hill Duncan, conductor. It was released in 2008 on their debut CD Songs are Thoughts.

Carol of the Seekers (SSAA a cappella, handbells optional); 2:45. A simple Christmas carol, original text. The voices suggest the sound of bells ringing.

Walk With Me (SSAA a cappella); 3:10. A fun, upbeat, romantic piece for women's choir, original text.

Pat-a-Pan (TTBB a cappella); 2:10. An original English translation and arrangement of the traditional Burgundian holiday carol.

Ubi Caritas (A/T duet, accompanied by string trio or organ); 5:30. Original melody, with text from the Mass of Maundy Thursday: "Wherever there is charity and love, God is there...." It has been performed with alto and tenor soloists; it could be done with the alto and tenor sections of a choir.

Your Hands (tenor/piano); 6:40. Text is excerpted from the epilogue of an English translation of the epic poem The Twelve Words of the Gypsy by Greek poet Kostes Palamas (1859-1943). This art song's intricate, industrious piano accompaniment is juxtaposed with a lyrical, soaring melody. Recorded and released in 2005 as the final track on the October Wind CD, Peter Hollens, tenor.

Double Beauty (soprano/piano); 2:50. This art song / lullaby's introspective, thoughtful text was written by British poet Eleanor Farjeon. Commissioned by soprano Gretchen Farrar.

Pray, Tell Me How: A beautiful sacred song, music by Michael Hanian, lyrics by Rebecca Oswald. Released in 2000 as a CD single with both a vocal and an instrumental version. MP3s of both versions available on Apple iTunes. Free sheet music PDF downloads of the leadsheet, easy piano version, and piano/vocal arrangement; all in English, French, Russian, Finnish, German, Swedish, and Hebrew, with more languages to come.

copyright 2011 Rebecca Oswald