Winner in the 2005 American Composers Forum/VocalEssence Christmas Carol Competition, this buoyantly rhythmic setting uses an early Christmas text (in English with Latin refrain), and was premiered by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence....
Instrumental and vocal music, including both sacred and secular choral works, that are most appropriate in a concert setting. Music sample links provide short excerpts as mp3s. For any inquiries, please contact webmaster@paulgibsonmusic.com.
Alliance Music Publishers - Catalog #AMP 0638
SSA, unaccompanied [c. 3:45]
Commissioned by Anne Tomlinson and the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, this virtuoso piece is rhythmic and driving in its search for peace. Chosen by Paul Salamunovich for his series on Alliance.
Music Sample: Click Here
Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, music director
Available from the composer.
Children's voices (two-part), piano [c. 6:00]
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.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt performed by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, director.]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5181
SSA, unaccompanied [c. 3:00]
Commissioned by Mary Breden for her high school girls' choir, this deceptively simple folk poem on love receives a simple folk song-like setting.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt performed by Ex Indigo Singers, Tracey Linden, director]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5196
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 2:00]
A straightforward but 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.
Music Sample: Click Here
[excerpt by Chorus Angelorum, conducted by Dominic MacAller]
Available from the composer.
SATB, tenor solo, organ, flute, cello, handbell [c. 18:30]
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.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt from the premiere, conducted by Frank Brownstead]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 6233
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 3:30]
Composed for Zephyr's planned CD of wine music, this light and jazzy piece sets a text of bittersweet nostalgia.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt performed by Zephyr: Voices Unbound]
ECS - 6728
SATB, cello [c. 2:10]
Winner in the 2005 American Composers Forum/VocalEssence Christmas Carol Competition, this buoyantly rhythmic setting uses an early Christmas text (in English with Latin refrain), and was premiered by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence.
Music Sample: Click Here
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5175
TBB, unaccompanied [c. 8:00]
Composed for and premiered by Paul Salamunovich and the Loyola-Marymount Men's Chorus, this English setting (based on a beautiful Epiphany chant) has moments of exhilarating power and prayerful repose. Also usable in some liturgical settings.
"The Kyrie is like incense rising up to heaven."
Paul Salamunovich,
Music Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Music Sample: Click Here
[Sample excerpted from A Mass of Life, CD-289 from G.I.A.]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5195
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 3:30]
Using 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. Part of a set entitled A Heart So Touched.
[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]
Music Sample: Click Here
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5197
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 5:00]
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. Part of a set entitled A Heart So Touched.
"A most precious composition with great beauty contained in sustained lines, underpinned with tender harmonic weaving."
Robert Kreutz, composer
Music Sample: Click Here
[Sample excerpted from A Mass of Life, CD-289 from G.I.A.]
Available from the composer.
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 3:15]
Gibson's third Emily Dickinson setting, now making a triptych with He Fumbles At Your Spirit and It Was Not Death. When performed as a unit, It Was Not Death would be first, and The Pretty Rain last. Commissioned and premiered by Matt Gray and the De Angelis Vocal Ensemble (Orange County, California).
Music Sample: Click Here
De Angelis Choral Ensemble, Matt Gray, director
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5174
SATB, organ, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones [c. 12:30]
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.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5330
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 4:15]
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.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt from A Choir of Angels II: Mission Music, Civic Records CVC1-0005-2.]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5173
Medium voice and piano [c. 6:30]
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).
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt from And What of Love, Eroica JDT 3074.]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5870 (piano/vocal)
Catalog #5871 (full score)
SSA and chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra (oboe, English horn, bassoon, harp, strings) [c. 15:30]
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!.
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpts performed by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, director]
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 6549
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 2:50]
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
Music Sample: Click Here
[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]
Available from the composer.
Tenor, oboe, viola, and cello [c. 4:30/c. 5:00]
In a setting that echoes the poems' atmosphere of bittersweet longing, the singer and instrumentalists interact as equals.
