Paul Gibson Music

An old German Christmas poem inspired a bouncy, lilting melody for this charming motet in a neo-Praetorius style, culminating with a joyous cascade of "Alleluias." (German or English) Performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, under Grant Gershon, for their 2004 holiday programs at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

"An exquisitely crafted jewel of a carol, both original and timeless...a fresh and welcome addition to the a cappella Christmas repertoire."
Grant Gershon,
music director, Los Angeles Master Chorale

In a setting that echoes the poems' atmosphere of bittersweet longing, the singer and instrumentalists interact as equals.

Combining the most familiar plainchant with motives from the other common chant melody, Salve Regina ranges from simple unison to soaring counterpoint, reflecting many periods of sacred music. Composed for Zephyr: Voices Unbound for the ensemble's first CD.
(Watch the YouTube video.)

Commissioned by soprano Elin Carlson and included on her debut CD And What of Love, this set of three songs explores love from differing viewpoints: "An Evening Song" (American folk verse, attributed to Esther Mathews), "Infinite Fires" (from Marcia Falk's poetic translation of The Song of Songs), and "He Fumbles At Your Spirit" (Emily Dickinson).

Commissioned and premiered by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus for their 15th anniversary, this three-movement work sets Lewis Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter," "Beneath a Sunny Sky" (the haunting acrostic that closes Looking-Glass), and "Jabberwocky." Parts of this work are heard in the Academy Award-nominated documentary about LACC, Sing!.

Composed for the Los Angeles Children's Choir in memory of their beloved Apprentice Choir director, this simple, tender piece expresses the words of Karen Lynn Davidson in a mostly unison setting.

Commissioned by Mary Breden for her high school girls' choir, this deceptively simple folk poem about love receives a simple folk song-like setting.

A straightforward, concentrated and intense setting of a powerful poem by Emily Dickinson. Musically not difficult to learn. Second of a set entitled A Heart So Touched.

With lyrics (in English) based on a lullaby from the Dominican Republic, this setting delves into the bittersweet feelings of a parent reflecting on the eventual departure of her child. First of the set A Heart So Touched.

With words and music by Paul and Carol Gibson, these prayerful invocations center the assembly and call upon the presence of the Holy Spirit. Easy congregational responses alternate with choir, capped by a beautiful choral coda.

With a text that reflects on God's all-inclusive love, and a melody that suggests Celtic folksong, this lovely work was commissioned by the Diocese of Orange, CA, to celebrate the installation of Bishop Tod David Brown.

"Well-crafted, expressive choral writing utilizing a variety of textures. This is a small masterpiece that I wish I had written."
Richard Proulx, composer, organist, conductor

This tender, flowing anthem is especially suited for moments of meditation and reflection.

Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral (Orange, CA) this extended setting was specifically designed for lengthy Holy Thursday processions. The English text, in a new translation, is sprinkled with brief Latin fragments. Gregorian chants and new melodies interweave in this meditative anthem.

With words and music by Paul and Carol Gibson, this choral Communion processional in a flowing, contemporary style is suitable for almost any time of the year.

This quiet, prayerful English setting for choir with congregational response uses mixed meters to create a timeless flow. Commissioned by Dr. Phil Steinhaus for St. Margaret Mary's, Lomita, CA.

English setting of the Gloria commissioned by Dr. Phil Steinhaus for the Jubilee celebrations at St. Margaret Mary's, Lomita, CA

This complete Mass, including a setting of Eucharistic Prayer II, synthesizes traditional and contemporary styles. Highly effective brass writing points up its lively rhythmic energy.

"A consistently rewarding, deeply moving work."
[ Jim Svejda, author and syndicated radio host, '"The Record Shelf " ]

"Delicate balance between the festive and the simple. Contrasts are superb." [ Robert Kreutz, composer ]

The Exodus canticle for the Easter Vigil, in a vigorous setting with choral, chant-like verses, was commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA.

This setting of the Psalm for Pentecost is flowing, melodic, and contemplative.

Commissioned by their children to honor Warren and Alice Sautebin, this relatively easy setting of the beloved psalm includes a flowing refrain that incorporates the tune Amsterdam, making a connection to the Moravian tradition to which the dedicatees belong.

This widely used setting - with its refrain from "Angels We Have Heard on High" - allows any congregation to participate fully in the Gloria. Originally commissioned for St. Margaret Mary's, Lomita, CA, and recorded by Frank Brownstead.


NEW! New translation for the Roman Missal, Third Edition Revision

Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA , these musical interjections for the first reading of the Easter Vigil begin with a single note on the oboe, calling forth from a primordial past the mystery and wonder of Creation.

Simple, melodic setting of the Holy Thursday psalm, commissioned by Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach, CA, Dr. Patricia Lamb, Music Director.

This choral enhancement of the beautiful and beloved plainchant sets some verses in simple two-part writing, others in a style reminiscent of Duruflé.

"Clearly chant has influenced your music in the best possible way - it simply flows."
Milan Kaderavek, composer

An original text is set to several melodies, including the plainchant "Jesu dulcis memoria" and the traditional hymn "Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today." This Easter anthem, which grows from pre-dawn quiet to a raucous shout of "Alleluia," was commissioned for Easter 2000 by St. Matthew's Parish, Pacific Palisades, CA.

Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, this rich choral enhancement of the Gregorian Pentecost Sequence may be sung in Latin or in a new English version that adheres to the accents of the original. Chosen by Creator magazine as one of the ten best sacred works of 2001.

"A chant-based but harmonically accessible anthem which would work well in the context of Pentecost's 'mystery.' Well done."
from Creator magazine

The solemn atmosphere evoked by Clark Gibson's dark, reflective text - inspired by Biblical imagery - is heightened by this haunting choral setting. Suitable for Good Friday and other times in Holy Week.

Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, commissioned this joyful, buoyant setting of the Easter Vigil responsorial.

This grand and stirring arrangement, originally commissioned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the 1987 visit of Pope John Paul II, features distinctive and powerful brass writing.

This fresh, straightforward arrangement of the great Quaker hymn was commissioned by Frank Brownstead for the 1989 NPM Convention.

Commissioned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the 1987 visit of Pope John Paul II, this setting of the Lourdes hymn alternates English and Spanish verses and was used at the Hollywood Bowl to complete the Marian year celebrations.

Originally commissioned for the 1989 NPM Convention, this current version was especially prepared for the recent Jubilee celebration of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Using an original text by J. Michael Thompson, this special "Llanfair" arrangement was commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, to celebrate the silver anniversary of its rector, Rev. Arthur Holquin. The "Ubi caritas" chant is woven unobtrusively throughout the piece.

To celebrate Bishop McFarland's 25th anniversary as bishop and 50th as priest, Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, commissioned this triumphant and stirring setting of "Hyfrydol" to words by Peter Scagnelli.

This multi-movement work, played continuously, is inspired by Margaret Craven's affecting novella about life among the Kwakiutl people in British Columbia, I Heard the Owl Call My Name.

"[Gibson's] moving The Calls of the Owl evoked nature imagery with lyrical counterpoint and flowing ostinatos."
Los Angeles Times

Commissioned for and premiered by the Debussy Trio, this highly rhythmic chamber work uses both tonal and serial techniques in contemplation of divine interplay. The Debussy Trio has recently released their recording of this work, both in CD and mp3 formats.

Composed for Zephyr's planned CD of wine music, this light and jazzy piece sets a text of bittersweet nostalgia.

Commissioned for the 40th anniversary of the Benedictine Abbey at Valyermo, this reflective and meditative piece sets a poem by Philip Edwards, OSB, along with some Latin excerpts from Psalms 47 and 86. At the premiere, the final section included liturgical dance.

Composed for and premiered by Paul Salamunovich and the Loyola-Marymount Men's Chorus, this four-movement setting (in English) is based on a beautiful Epiphany chant and alternates moments of exhilarating power with prayerful repose.

"The Kyrie is like incense rising up to heaven."
Paul Salamunovich,
Music Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale

A setting of Marcia Falk's brilliant translation from the Song of Songs, this passionate, sensual choral piece was a surprise wedding gift for the composer's wife. Third of the set A Heart So Touched. (Watch the YouTube video.)

"A most precious composition with great beauty contained in sustained lines, underpinned with tender harmonic weaving."
Robert Kreutz, composer

Commissioned by Frank Brownstead, this setting of a rich collection of Advent and Christmas texts (in both English and Latin) begins with heraldic fanfares and concludes with explosive Alleluias for chorus and brass.

Chorus Angelorum and soloists
Dominic MacAller, conductor

Sacred music collection includes:
A Mass of Life · My Sister My Bride · Pange lingua · May God Bless Us · Mass for 3-Part Men's Chorus · Jubilee Gloria · Litany of the Holy Spirit · more

"One of those rare contemporary works which manages to be simultaneously provocative, challenging and instantly approachable...a consistently rewarding, deeply moving work by one of the most humane composers of his generation."
Jim Svejda, classical radio host, producer, author

"The music on this CD is simply terrific - including the performances: what a choir! - and contains some of the finest work I have heard...exceptional writing. "
Robert Kreutz, (1922-1996), eminent composer

"A Mass of Life bids you welcome into the glories of the human voice...the music and the liturgy enhance one another beautifully. There is much to awaken the spirit here...a truly remarkable recording."
Bonnie Grice, classical radio host, author, librettist

Zephyr: Voices Unbound (chorus)
Produced by J.A.C. Redford

Contains Gibson's Salve Regina and several of his arrangements of music from the California mission period, including Cantico del Alba.

Los Angeles Children's Chorus
Anne Tomlinson, artistic director

Contains Gibson's Suite: Alice Through a Looking-Glass, in three movements (I. "The Walrus and the Carpenter," II. "Beneath a Sunny Sky," and III. "The Jabberwocky" ).

Los Angeles Children's Chorus
Anne Tomlinson, artistic director

Contains Gibson's Each Life That Touches Ours for Good.

Frank Brownstead, conductor

Contains Gibson's A Christmas Gloria in the version for strings, SATB, assembly and organ.

Frank Brownstead, conductor

Contains Gibson's A Christmas Gloria in the version for strings, SATB, assembly and organ.

Elin Carlson, soprano
Alan Steinberger, piano
Produced by Peter Rutenberg

Contains song cycle Strong As Death - Three Songs on Love (1. "An Evening Song," 2. "Infinite Fires," 3. "He Fumbles At Your Spirit" ).