“Heavenly Home” by Shawn Kirchner Friday, July 12, 2019
Composer Shawn Kirchner burst onto the scene with three early American songs from his collection “Heavenly Home.” Each of the three songs was first published separately, now available all together as they were originally intended in a real value package. Program as a set or individually.
Also available individually:
Unclouded Day (#1 from “Heavenly Home”)
This enduring gospel favorite is set with a straight-forward first verse and chorus. The next two verses combine traditional bluegrass vocal style with counterpoint and fugue, resulting in a crescendo of excitement. Also available TTBB.
Angel Band (#2 from “Heavenly Home”)
Simple, soaring descants, countermelodies, and rich harmonic textures provide a symphonic breadth to this arrangement that encompasses the full, four-octave range of the choral instrument.
Hallelujah (#3 from “Heavenly Home”)
This amazing work, premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, director, is a contrast of homophonic refrains against polyphonic verses. Beginning with the austere Sacred Harp tune HEAVENLY HOME, California composer Kirchner sets hallelujahs leaping and plunging and circling through the choir to thrilling results.