November 2012: Avshalomov/Meredith Kennedy Blue Sky Album launches!
Purchase CD or tracks on CDBaby.
Listen to full tracks on this page (scroll down).
“It is my great pleasure to announce the release of the Blue Sky album, the end product of a collaboration with my friend and colleague, Singer/Songwriter/Renaissance woman Meredith Kennedy on our first original album. What began with . . . (more>>)
BACKGROUND
This set of songs is a bit of a departure for me. I got to let my hair down a little, referenceolder light popular styles, apply just the occasional touch of my serious style, and just have fun. If you know only my concert music, this will be an ear-opener.
Meredith’s lyrics are simple but deep at the same time, full of images that immediately bring out tunes in my inner ear. She sings them here with polish and feeling, and our friend Marty Rifkin,who is the *best, made lovely mixes from her tracks over my accompaniments.
ALBUM CONCEPT
“Dreaming in satin landscapes, in between shadows and blue sky; warriors, ghosts, love and time transcended as light jazz and early pop merge with classical touches and even bossa nova in this collection of original songs written and scored by composer David Avshalomov to lyrics by Meredith Kennedy, who sings them here.”
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE POEMS/SONGS
Blue Sky: A poem written on a bus in Egypt, evoking the bittersweet lines between friendship and love, elusive and changeable, and the scary decision to say goodbye. Uptempo jazz choir backups.
Lady Jezebel: There are those who are afraid of life and those who help them through it. Light rock middle.
Dazzle Me: Saxophone and voice play with the dizzy delight of infatuation, in a bluesy shuffle.
Satin Shadow: Darkness and illusion on a moonlit night, made into a music video on the island of Zanzibar. (NOTE: Meredith wrote both words and melody for this song and had Chris Luthi harmonize it. David just wrote the intro and interlude, and scored the instrumental background.)
Mr.Brown Eyes: The most irresistible man makes his magic at her with his ought-to-be-illegal brown eyes. An old-fashioned shuffle with clarinet.
State of Mind: Finding that place before awakening where a dream of your lover is as real as early sunlight. Bossa middle.
A Minute After Midnight: The sweet sorrow and anxiety of imminent parting measures out a couple’s last moments together. Tick tock strings.
Ghostly Dancer: A haunted stage comes to life with the movement of a dancer long gone. Light classical guitar, flutes, and finger percussion.
Enchanted River: Moving on brings peace to a lover in torment, in this Irish-style ballad with harp and violin.
Desert Snow: A young soldier sleeps forever under cold desert sands–a protest against senseless war, over a relentless drumbeat and strings.
Lakotah Storm: The memory of a legendary warrior lingers in a snow-swept forest, with harp, drum, and flute.
Askendreya: Love letter to the city of Alexandria–past and present–in her fading splendor, with distant drum and strings.
Black Beauty: An accelerating morning bareback ride on a spirited horse, with a galloping faux-Country/Western breakdown.
ORCHESTRAL SONG CYCLE
Orchestral performance materials for this song cycle will soon be available in a Concert Edition, scored for strings (minimum: string quintet including bass), varied/mixed woodwinds (flutes, oboe, clarinet, tenor sax), piano, harp, guitar, electric bass, light drum set and hand percussion). And of course, the lovely Miss Meredith will be available for guest appearances singing them if you don’t have your own favorite diva. Perusal score PDFs are viewable on the page below.
| Listen | Score | Title | Voice | Accomp. | Dur. | Lyrics by | Year |
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The Ceremony of Innocence | Bass-baritone | piano | 8′ | Yeats The Second Coming | 2000 |
| Order This» | Dramatic solo mini-oratorio about the mystical cycles of the millennia. Also available with orchestra with Ozymandias (as “Two Apocalyptic Songs”) Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
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The Ceremony of Innocence, trio | B-bar | piano, flute, viola | 8′ | Yeats The Second Coming | 2001 | |
| Order This» | Version with piano, flute, viola. Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert | Notes» | |||||
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Chanukah Tonight! | High voice | piano | 2’45 | David Avshalomov | 2011 | |
| Order This» | Quick glimpse of the legend, tradition, and observance of the Jewish Festival of Lights.Exuberant syncopated setting building up to the bright celebration on the eighth night. (Also for chorus with piano or strings) | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
| Come Here Lookin’ (for what it is) | B-bar | opt vocal bass or string bass | 3′ – 6′ | David Avshalomov | 2009 | ||
| Order This» | A simple a cappella strophic song about nature, its human scars, and getting back to the way it was meant to be. Verses observing many mountains creatures. | Lyrics» | |||||
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Goodnight Moon | Med | keyboard | 3′ | Margaret Wise Brown | 1986 |
| Request» | A sweet, simple, tuneful setting of the classic children’s “nite-nite” book. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | ||||||
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Goodnight Moon (chamber version) | High | piano, string quintet, flute | 3′ | Margaret Wise Brown | 1986/ 2007 | |
| Request» | Version with strings, piano, flute, keyboard. | ||||||
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Hashkiveinu | Low | piano | 5′ | (Trad.) | 1999 | |
| Order This» | Romantic, dramatic full setting of the traditional prayer, commissioned by Cantor Shula Merton, Temple Beth El, Orange County CA. Key of C or Bb. | Lyrics» | |||||
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How Sweet it Was | Low | piano | 6′ | David Avshalomov | 2008 | |
| Order This» | Bittersweet ballad, regretful remembrance of a tempestuous, painful romance. Key of d. | Lyrics» | |||||
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How Sweet it Was (scored/chbr) | Low | piano. 2 opt. flutes, string quintet | 6′ | David Avshalomov | 2008 | |
| Order This» | Version with strings, piano, opt flutes,key of d or c. | ||||||
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The Last Act | Low | piano | 6′ | Louise Bogan | 2000 | |
| Order This» | Slow, arch art song about the loss and remembrance of a lover | Lyrics» | |||||
| Purchase CD or tracks on CDBaby | Meredith Songs (from the “BLUE SKY” album) | Mezzo | piano, or various scorings | Meredith Kennedy | 2008-2009 | ||
| November 2012: Avshalomov/Meredith Kennedy Blue Sky Album launches! Set of lighter songs commissioned by my friend and collaborator Meredith Kennedy on her own charming and singable lyrics. All with nice hooks. (See individual titles below.) .mp3 accompaniment/practice files also available. Sound samples: Sung by Meredith herself. | |||||||
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Askendreya–ALBUM VERSION (scored/chbr) | Mezzo | piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, high hand drums | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Haunting, bittersweet evocation of the past and present mystique of the city of Alexandria | ||||||
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Askendreya (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano, opt. hand drums | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Lyrics» | ||||||
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Black Beauty–ALBUM VERSION (scored) | Mezzo | piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass guitar, drums, fiddle or viol | 3:15 | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Happy, exuberantly flying song about the joy of riding a fine horse, rhythmic patterns stepping up from a trot through a gallop. Vocal harmony parts at end, board fade. Light faux-Country/Western flavor. Key of F | ||||||
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Black Beauty (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of G or F. | Lyrics» | |||||
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Blue Sky–ALBUM VERSION w/vocal backups | Mezzo, backups | piano, opt. small shaker | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Devolving from exuberant joy at the beauty of life through wistful reluctance to leave a lover. Light pop/jazz harmonizations. With 8 backup voices SSAATTBB. Key of C or Bb. | ||||||
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Blue Sky with 12 backups | Mezzo, backups | piano, opt. small shaker | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Version with 12 backup voices SSSAAATTTBBB. Key of C | ||||||
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Blue Sky (solo w/piano) | Mezzo | piano, opt. small shaker | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of C | Lyrics» | |||||
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Dazzle Me–ALBUM VERSION (combo) | Mezzo | piano, bass, drums, Alto saxophone | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Slow bluesy version. Wink/nudge flirting with a charming, charismatic man. Key of Eb or F. | ||||||
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Dazzle Me (shuffle) (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Easy shuffle version in G. | Lyrics» | |||||
| Dazzle Me (bluesy) (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | |||
| Order Score» | |
Slow bluesy version. Key of F or G | |||||
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Desert Snow– ALBUM VERSION (scored/chbr) | Mezzo | piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, timpani, oboe | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Haunting memorial to the fallen solders of a far desert war, with impassioned antiwar climax. Key of g minor. | ||||||
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Desert Snow (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of g minor or a. | Lyrics» | |||||
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Enchanted River–ALBUM VERSION | Mezzo | harp (or piano), opt. solo violin | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Sweet, simple Irish-folk-style tune about a river inviting the poet’s wanderlust, leaving a lover behind. Key of Eb or Db | ||||||
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Ghostly Dancer–ALBUM VERSION (w/guitar) | Mezzo | acoustic guitar, 3 flutes (or synth keyboard), tambourine, finger cyms | 4:30 | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Haunting tango about the perennial ghostly dance of a great solo dancer long dead. Key of e minor | ||||||
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Ghostly Dancer (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano, opt. tambourine | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of f minor | Lyrics» | |||||
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Lady Jezebel–ALBUM VERSION (scored/chbr) | Mezzo | piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, electric bass, drums | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Simple song about womanly self-realization, opening up. Dreamy start and end, light rock middle. Key of d minor. | ||||||
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Lady Jezebel (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of d minor or e. | Lyrics» | |||||
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Lakota Storm–ALBUM VERSION (scored/harp) | Mezzo | Hp, flute, opt. Plains Indian drum (or Taiko or Bodhran) | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Slow, haunting, folk-native setting of the legend of a great fallen warrior, modal style. | ||||||
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Lakota Storm (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano, flute, opt. Plains Indian drum (or Taiko or Bodhran) | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Lyrics» | ||||||
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A Minute after Midnight–ALBUM VERSION (scored/chbr) | Mezzo | 2 violins, opt. viola, opt. cello, bass | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | The poet hangs on to a dissolving love affair, begging for “one last time,” over a simple tick-tock accompaniment. Key of g minor or f# minor. | ||||||
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A Minute after Midnight (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Key of g minor. | Lyrics» | |||||
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Mr. Brown Eyes–ALBUM VERSION (scored/combo) | Mezzo | piano, drums/brushes, Bb clarinet, bass | 2:45 | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | A light-hearted flirter, also a shuffle. Key of E or G. | ||||||
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Mr. Brown Eyes (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 2′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Lyrics» | ||||||
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State of Mind–ALBUM VERSION (scored/chbr) | Mezzo | piano, flute,2 violins, viola, cello, bass, shaker | 3:30 | Meredith Kennedy | |
| Order Score» | Dreamy morning awakening to the lingering spell of an absent (imaginary?) lover. | ||||||
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State of Mind (w/piano) | Mezzo | piano | 3′ | Meredith Kennedy | ||
| Order Score» | Lyrics» | CA | |||||
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A Mind of Winter | Bar | strings with harp; or piano | 5′ | Doris Avshalomov | 1985 |
| Order This» | A nature song, slow/moderate/slow, relishing the sluggish awakening of Spring. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
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Orchestra Song | Operatic Soprano | orchestra | 12′ | David Avshalomov | 1989 |
| Order This»]Order This | Narrator’s final summary variation on the simple theme song for “Let’s Grow an Orchestra”, big aria ending. Sound sample: Sung by Gwendolyn Lytle in concert, with the Long Beach Symphony conducted by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
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Our Civil rights | Bass or Baritone | piano | 2’30 | Thos. Jefferson | 2003 |
| Order This» | Bitter, dignified elaboration of the relationship between religious choice and individual civil rights. Grim ending. Excerpted from Principles, (see Choral with Band). | Lyrics» | |||||
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Ozymandias | Bass-baritone | piano | 8′ | Shelley | 2000 |
| Order This» | Dramatic, ironic narrative about the remnants of a proud empire. Also available with orchestra, with Ceremony of Innocence (as Two Apocalyptic Songs). Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
| SONGS OF LIFE / SONGS OF DEATHSONGS OF LIFE / SONGS OF DEATH | Bass-baritone | piano | 22′ total | Emily Dickinson | 2000 | ||
| Order This» | (piano/vocal) | Colorful, highly melodic double set of nine short songs on common Dickinson themes and motifs: snakes, nature, the sea, horses, trains, bells, love, sex, sublimation, hope, fear, insanity, pain, God, fear of death — and its acceptance. Ranging from hopeful contagious enthusiasm to morbid melodrama. The two sets can be performed separately. See individual titles below. Also available with orchestra. Sound samples: Sung by the composer in concert, with William Schmidt, piano | All Lyrics» | Note» | |||
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A Narrow Fellow in the Grass | B-bar | piano | 1’45 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Nimble, ironic expression of instinctual fear of snakes — “zero at the bone”. | ||||||
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The Railway Train | Bass-baritone | piano | 2’30 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Fast, evocative depiction of the power and fascination of this huge rolling machine. | ||||||
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Wild Nights | Bass-baritone | piano | 1’30 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Fast, splashy outburst, dreams of abandon to wild open-hearted lovemaking, borne by sea metaphors — almost X-rated. | ||||||
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Wild Nights | Med Voice | piano | 1’30 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | ||||||
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Hope is the Thing with Feathers | Bass-baritone | piano | 2’20 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Irish-sounding ballad, simple, lyrical, touching slow melody. Key of C. (Also available with chamber scoring: piano or harp, flute, string quintet) | ||||||
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Hope is the Thing with Feathers | High Voice | piano; also version with piano or harp, string quintet, flute | 2’20 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Key of Eb. Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, chamber scoring version, with Pamela Pyle, piano; Jonna Newcomb-Carter, flute; Denali strings. | ||||||
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It Was Not Death | Bass-baritone | piano | 3’30 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Frozen, helpless expression of paralyzing fear of death arriving with no evident cause – in broad daylight, over descending bell tones. Long slow arch with despairing end. | ||||||
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The Heart Asks Pleasure First | B or Bar | piano | 2′ | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Consoling, sweet hospice lyric suggesting a loved one slowly dying in hospital, in great pain, and the blessed liberty/privilege to die. Slow, long intensifying arch to the top and low ending. | ||||||
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I Felt a Funeral in My Brain | Bass-baritone | piano | 3’30 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | The horror of witnessing her own funeral – or losing her mind? Grimmest slow march with quotes from Chopin, Tchaikowsky, Mahler. | ||||||
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Tie the Strings to my Life | Bass-baritone | piano | 1’45 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Brave song asking God for just a last glance and kiss of the hills, then she is ready to go. Gallant English-sounding melody over a cheerful lively galloping motif, inner moment of wistfulness, triumphant end. Key of D. | ||||||
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Tie the Strings to my Life | High Voice | piano | 1’45 | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Key of F. Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | ||||||
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Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Tango/Encore) | Bass-baritone | piano | 3′ | Emily Dickinson | |
| Order This» | Taut tango in ersatz ballroom-dance-of-doom style to match the arch, artificial politesse of the poem. Mock-solemn mood, melody and harmony traditionally sentimental. | ||||||
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Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Tango/Encore) | Low Voice | piano | 3′ | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Treble clef version for low voice. | ||||||
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Two Households | Tenor/Baritone duet | opt. guitar | 2′ | Shakespeare | 2002 | |
| Order This» | Quasi-Elizabethan setting of the Prologue to Romeo and Juliet. Written for my son Zack for a classroom presentation. | Lyrics» | |||||
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You Can’t Have It All | Baritone | piano or theater ensemble | 4′ | David Avshalomov | 1986 |
| Order This» | Ironic series of philosophical clichés about desires and fulfillment, in light Kurt Weill simulation style. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
| You Are the Girl | Med | piano | 3′ | David Avshalomov | 1975 | ||
| Order This» | Love song, sheer devotion and infatuation. 50s ballad. | ||||||
| Songs from TEST OF FAITH | soli, ensemble | piano or small pit ensemble | David Avshalomov | 1982 | |||
| Selected songs and choruses from a youth musical on the Spanish Inquisition’s persecution of the Marranos. (See individual titles below.) | |||||||
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“Barcelona” | middle range unis chorus | piano or small pit ensemble | 2′ | David Avshalomov | ||
| Order This» | The people of Barcelona, including the Jews/Marranos, celebrate city pride in an up-tempo R&B-flavored ensemble number. | ||||||
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“People are Missing” | middle range soli, 2-part chorus | piano or small pit ensemble | 3′ | David Avshalomov | ||
| Order This» | A worried Marrano child notices her friend has disappeared, the grownups pick up her fear. Light 70′s pop syncopated style, modal, ensemble number. | ||||||
| “Gone” | low female solo, unis backups | piano or small pit ensemble | 3′ | David Avshalomov | |||
| Order This» | A distraught Marrano daughter mourns her suddenly-imprisoned family while the neighbors comfort her. Sad 1920s torch song. | ||||||
| “Shy” | middle range duet | piano or small pit ensemble | 2′ | David Avshalomov | |||
| Order This» | Two shy youngsters separately express their mutual secret crush. Sweet slow simple melody, brief duet. | ||||||
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“Dungeon Ballet” | instrumental | piano or small pit ensemble | 3’30 | |||
| Order This» | Grim passacaglia with wild buildup in dueling drumsets, synths, brass, for dance of carting Marranos off to the dungeon. | ||||||
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“To Save Your Soul” | boy or girl alto | piano or small pit ensemble | 2′ | David Avshalomov | ||
| Order This» | The Grand Inquisitor relishes his work torturing people to confess and repent–before they die. Glam rock, electric organ solo. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | ||||||
SONG ARRANGEMENTS
| Listen | Score | Title | Composer | Voices | Key | Accomp. | Dur. | Year |
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Find the Cost of Freedom | Steven Stills | (A)ATB soli | d minor | a cappella | 1’30 | 1970/2007 |
| Order This» | Simple a cappella transcription (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
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Ghost Riders in the Sky | Stan Jones | Low solo, SAT backups | d | piano | 3′ | 1948/2007 |
| Order This» | One of my favorite Cowboy Songs. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
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On Top of Old Stewball | (trad.) | SATB soli | C | a cappella | 3′ | 2007 |
| Order This» | Folk Quodlibet sequencing, then overlaying four familiar folk tunes with related melodies. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
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(Vocal parts) |
SERGEANT PEPPER MEDLEY | Lennon/McCartney | TTBB chorus, Tenor, Baritone soli | var. | Concert band | 16′ | 1970-72 |
| Request This» | Fun transcription medley from the Beatle’s amazing first concept album. Created for and premiered by the USAF Band and Singing Sergeants, Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Commander/ Conductor | |||||||
| 1. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
| 2. With a Little Help from My Friends | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
| 3. It’s Getting Better All the Time | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
| 4. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
| 5. She’s Leaving Home | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
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6. When I’m 64 | Lennon/McCartney | ||||||
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7. Lovely Rita Meter Maid | Lennon/McCartney | ||||||
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8. Sgt Pepper Reprise | Lennon/McCartney | ||||||
| 9. A Day in the Life | Lennon/McCartney | |||||||
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Sixteen Tons | Merle Travis | Low solo, SAT backups | c minor | piano | 4′ | 1946/2007 |
| Order This» | Tennessee Ernie Ford version. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
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Venezuela | John Jacob Niles | Low | C# | piano | 2′ | 1918/2007 |
| Order This» | Possibly the most beautiful song melody ever. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||