Christmastide for mixed voices (SATB), a cappella

Description

SCORE DETAILS

Composer: Matthew Orlovich | Date of Composition: 5 August, 2015 | Instrumentation: Mixed Voices (SATB), a cappella | Duration: ca 2 minutes | Commissioned by: Acappellago (IL., USA) | Publisher: Waratah Music | Formats: Printed Edition (WM 013 : ISMN 979-0-7202-1524-2) / PDF Digital Download (WM 013e : ISMN 979-0-7202-1525-9) | Edition: 10 October, 2019

COMPOSER’S NOTE

Scored for mixed voices (SATB) a cappella, this setting of Mary C. Shafer’s poem, “Christmastide” was commissioned by Acappellago (Illinois, USA) with the financial support of the Batavia Arts Council Fund. The world premiere performance was given on Saturday 5 December, 2015 by Acappellago, directed by Dennis R. Smith at the Event Hall, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook, IL., USA.

The Australian premiere of “Christmastide” was given on Sunday 11 December, 2016 by the Australian Boys Choir and The Vocal Consort, directed by Noel Ancell OAM at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank, VIC, Australia.

Inspired by the wondrous beauty of pealing Christmas bells, Shafer’s poem calls to mind the first Christmas time, when, above the hills of Judah, “angel voices chanted notes sublime.”

Seeking to convey something of the joy of Christmastide in my setting, I have brought to the fore the syncopation that is to be found in the rhythm of the poet’s words, coupling that with melodic material that is of a fanfare-like nature.

I warmly thank Acappellago and director, Dennis Smith, for inviting me to compose the setting and for affording the work its world premiere performance. – MO.

SCORE SAMPLE

PERFORMANCES

Some of the known performances of Christmastide for mixed voices (SATB) a cappella, include:

2 DEC 2018 – Performed by Acappellago, directed by Dennis Smith @ Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510, USA.

1 DEC 2018 – Performed by Acappellago, directed by Dennis Smith @ Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.

11 DEC 2016 – AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE – Performed by the Australian Boys Choir, directed by Noel Ancell OAM @ Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank, VIC, Australia.

12 DEC 2015 – Performed by Acappellago, directed by Dennis R. Smith @ Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

6 DEC 2015 – Performed by Acappellago, directed by Dennis R. Smith @ Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510, USA.

5 DEC 2015 – WORLD PREMIERE – Performed by Acappellago, directed by Dennis R. Smith @ Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St, Oak Brook, IL, USA.

PRESS GALLERY

Shining gifts from boys choir.
Christmas with the Australian Boys Choir, directed by Noel Ancell @ Melbourne Recital Centre, 11 November, 2016.

… Matthew Orlovich’s “Christmastide” – one of the concert’s high points for its striking rhythmic and harmonic hurdles, accommodated with considerable success by these choristers in a cappella mode.

Clive O’Connell, The Age (Melbourne, VIC, Australia), 13/12/16.