Peace, Perfect Peace

Everyone Sang Four Songs for Bass and Piano

The songs Homecoming and Quilt were commissioned by the West Chester University Poetry Conference, West Chester, Pennsylvania, and were premiered by baritone Robert Barefield and pianist Carl Cranmer on June 7, 2003. Entrance was written in July, 2003 for inclusion in this set of songs. The song Everyone Sang was premiered by Maris Vipulis and pianist Marc Shapiro on April 16, 1998. The four songs are each dedicated to four singer-friends of the composer. The edition for low voice was prepared especially for bass Matt Boehler. Duration: 13:00

Trinity

This lyrical setting combines the texts Trinitie Sunday by George Herbert (1633) with Gloria tibi (Glory to you, O Trinity, all equal, one God). A charming refrain which begins the piece alternates with the Herbert text. Unaccompanied but primarily homophonic, this is a perfect anthem for Trinity Sunday. Duration: 2:30

Praise Now the Risen Christ

The surprising joy of the Resurrection is conveyed through jubilant fanfares in the accompaniment and a shifting of the rhythm between 3/4 and implied 6/8 meters. As the mood softens, a more melodic section expresses the lyrics, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." After the unaccompanied chorus sings "All glorious Risen Christ" and a brief moment of silence, the piece bursts forth again with fanfares and thicker choral textures that build in excitement to the end. A perfect Easter anthem! Duration: 2:45