Sacred Songs and Interludes
composer: Nancy Galbraith (2006)
authors: (see below)
genre: Chamber Choir, Soloists & Mixed Ensemble
length: 12 movements, 47:30 minutes
movements: (see below)
orchestration: SATB, mezzo-soprano, baritone; *fl-1, fl-2 (alto);
pno (synth); 2perc [*flute, bamboo flute, bansuri,
panpipes, chordal panpipes]
publisher: Subito Music Publishing (ASCAP)
60 Depot Street, Verona, NJ 07044
mail@subitomusic.com • 973-857-3440
audio:   
world premiere: 18 March 2006
The Pittsburgh Camerata; Rebecca Rollett, conductor
Sixth Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
program notes: "Sacred Songs & Interludes" was commissioned by Linda W. Shaw and Richard E. Shaw for The Pittsburgh Camerata's Spring 2006 concert series.
authors: Kabîr—trans. Rabindranath Tagore • Anonymous from "Tao Te Ching"
Anonymous from "The Shih Ching" • Anonymous from "The Udana"
Traditional from the Ordinary of the Mass • Rabbi Daniel ben Yedudah
composer's notes:

Each movement of "Sacred Songs & Interludes" is based upon a text borrowed from the poetry and canonical literature of the world's seven principal religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. With the use of indigenous scale materials, harmonies, and instruments, the music creates atmospheres suggested in the texts. The overall tone is folk-like, foregoing the abstract pro forma approach to setting religious writings. The work celebrates mankind's rich diversity in a musical prayer for wholeness and peace within the human family. "Sacred Songs & Interludes" is dedicated to the Pittsburgh Camerata and music director Rebecca Rollett. —N.G.
press bytes: ...marvelously colorful and appealing. —Pittsburgh Magazine
  Pittsburgh composer Nancy Galbraith's 30-year career continues to take on new dimensions. Her latest endeavor, "Sacred Songs and Interludes," gracefully integrates her characteristic rhythmic harmonic progressions with Middle-Eastern and Far-Eastern tunes and modes in a work that is both a sensitive celebration of humankind's rich diversity and a powerful musical prayer for wholeness and peace.
—Pittsburgh Post Gazette
recording: Sacred Songs & Interludes
The Pittsburgh Camerata • Rebecca Rollett, music director
source: nancygalbraith.com

P R O G R A M

  1. Opening Song (Tagore)
2. Always Without Desire (Tao)
3. Dance My Heart (Sufi Muslim)
4. Harmony & Peace At Last (Confucian)
5. Chants and Mantras (Hindu/Buddhist)
6. The Enlightenment (Buddhist)		 7. Lord Have Mercy (Christian)
8. Holy, Holy, Holy (Christian)
9. The Moon Shines in My Body (Hindu)
10. Flute Interlude
11. Yigdal (Judaic)
12. Closing Song (Tagore)
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All Music Represented in Audio Samples: Copyright © by Subito Music Inc (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.