Seafarer Press | Elizabeth Alexander, composer

Reviews

* CHAMBER MUSIC

Diminutives (solo guitar):

"...composed for the heart and soul of the guitar's strengths." ‑ Tallahassee Democrat (Tallahassee, FL)

My Aunt Gives Me a Clarinet Lesson (soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion):

"From the worktable of composer Elizabeth Alexander...poet Gregory Djanikian's playful text, replete with musical and zoological references, was...brought to life wonderfully."  ‑ Syracuse Post‑Standard (Syracuse, NY)

* SOLO VOCAL

A Love Like That (solo voice, piano):

"Seriously . . . Oh. My. God!  The new piece is amazing!  It's. . . it's. . . just perfect for me!  I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!  Thank you!!!!!!!!!"  ‑ Marti Mendenhall, Jazz, Classical and Studio Vocalist (Portland, OR)

* CHORAL MUSIC

"Accomplished Minnesota-based composer Elizabeth Alexander...is very gifted, writing in an accessible style that is well tailored to the requirements of both semi-pro and amateur choruses." ‑ David N. Lewis, All Music Guide.

CHILDREN'S CHORUS

"There are tears in my eyes as I look through the four [children's choir] songs you've sent me. What beautiful work you do! I haven't even gotten to the piano yet to play through the accompaniments, but already I can see on the page that your work will be sung by several of my groups. Thank you, thank you." ‑ Betsy Hanger, Performing Arts Teacher at Windward School (Los Angeles, CA)

WOMEN'S CHORUS

"Alexander's writing for women's chorus is especially good, and although her choice of texts is catholic in nature, her settings of subjects relating to women's issues are exceptionally strong." ‑ David N. Lewis, All Music Guide

CHURCH CHOIR

"I'm very glad to have found your music, and appreciate both the quality of the texts and music, as well as their accessibility." ‑ Darryl Dewalt, Music Director, Camrose United Church (Alberta, CANADA)

Bells In the High Tower (SATB, piano):

"Bells in the High Tower" is a wonderful example of an accessible choral arrangement made extraordinary by an absolutely delicate and ethereal piano accompaniment. That makes it an entirely different "level" of anthem quality. Fantastic!" ‑ Ruth Palmer, Director of Music, Unity Church-Unitarian (St. Paul, MN)

Caterpillars Crawl (SA, piano):

"We performed [Caterpillars Crawl] twice and everyone, especially the kids, loved it.  We talked about what the text means, and how we were alike and different from the caterpillars in the song.  It was a moving experience for all."  ‑ Marjorie Herman, Director of Music, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (Princeton, NJ)

Cherish Your Doubt (SATB, piano):

"We performed it last month, and loved every minute of learning and performing it." ‑ Nancy Starr, Director of Music, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church (Oak Ridge, TN)

Climb (SATB, piano):

"[This song] represents the struggle to let go of that which we hold most dear, in an effort to encourage further growth and discovery." ‑ Darciann Ketter, Cedarburg News (Cedarburg, WI)

"Climb" took me on a musical journey, from the sowewhat dissonant beginning...through the ascending lines powerfully urging the falcon to climb into the stratosphere. The last notes of the piano do not even resolve (which would bring the feeling of the piece back down to earth); rather, the falcon is allowed to continue climbing beyond the bounds of the song." ‑ Brett Hanisko, singer, Cedarburg High School Choir

"Thank you for giving the altos so many great notes! I felt (and my fellow altos agreed) that during some measures, our notes really made the chord." ‑ Katie Hamblin, alto, Cedarburg High School Choir

"I absolutely loved singing my part, the tenor part; it was an awesome part that gave us an excellent chance to showcase our section." ‑ Mike Dixon, tenor, Cedarburg High School Choir

Do Not Leave Your Cares At the Door (SATB a cappella):

"Another Elizabeth Alexander Hit. The choir was rocking as it got into singing this." ‑ Steve Finner, Music Director, Unitarian Universalist Church (St. Johnsbury, VT)

Even a Fist Was Once an Open Palm (SATB):

"Several pieces stand out among those collected here, but her setting of poet Yehuda Amichai's Even a Fist was Once an Open Palm is particularly potent and makes one sit up and take notice." ‑ David N. Lewis, All Music Guide

Faith Is the Bird That Feels the Light (SSA):

"Just thought you might like to know how much my kids absolutely LOVE singing Faith Is the Bird. They are singing it constantly and tell me they sing it all the time at home too. We have had choir camp all this week, and they are just crazy about it." ‑ Joy Hirokawa, Bel Canto Children's Chorus (Red Hill, PA)

"Our vocal group...sang through Faith is the Bird last night, and enjoyed it so much. The lyric is so wonderful, the music a real joy to sing and hear." ‑ Molly MacMillan, Scola Singers (Ithaca, NY)

Finally On My Way To Yes (SSATB, piano):

"Awesomely fresh music...The solo has freedom of improvisation, and comfort is found in [the] soulful harmonies toward the end." ‑ Jan Chamberlin, Music Director, Eliot Chapel (Kirkwood, MO)

Folks, I'm Telling You (SSATB, piano):

"I just read through Folks.  What a kick-ass piece of music that is!!  I can't wait for us to do it.  I think you're brilliant...  Thank you for offering it to the world!" ‑ Jason Shelton, Music Director, First Unitarian Universalist Church (Nashville, TN)

"I LOVE THIS PIECE.  There isn't anything anyone can do to convince me to change my mind about performing it.  Thanks for this music...  You know how to make some incredible stuff come off a page...WOW!"  ‑ Bradley Oleson, Department of Music Education. University of Miami (Miami, FL)

For So the Children Come (SATB, piano):

"I heard plenty of wonderful music between Thanksgiving and Twelfth Night, as I usually do. For So the Children Come was the most personally moving piece I encountered." ‑ Broad Street Review (Philadelphia)

"The close personal resonance between the composer and the words of Fahs is apparent in [this] skillfully worked out setting for choir and piano... Alexander cleverly quotes appropriate carol melodies when Fahs refers to the prophets and the wise men, and...the opening downward arpeggios seem to symbolize the perpetual descent of the divine at each and every birth." ‑ Watson Bosler, Gregg Smith Singers Notes (New York, NY)

Immortal Love (SATB a cappella):

"I really appreciate the elegance of your lines, the subtle, unexpected harmonic turns and generally how you achieve freshness within a well-known language." ‑ Simon Andrews, Director of Music, First Presbyterian (Lancaster, PA)

Morning Bread (SATB):

"One of the artistic highlights of the afternoon...It has been a very long time since I've heard such fresh sounds and moods in a piece of music... Morning Bread is a work that listeners won't soon forget." ‑ Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI)

...or a musician (SATB):

"The music illustrated both music's wonderful variety and expressiveness and the interrelation of sacred and secular. Old favorites in a new setting prompted joyful laughs from the audience." ‑ Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)

Praise Wet Snow Falling Early (SATB, piano):

"Opening almost as an art song, this work took full advantage of the chorus' wonderful pianissimo... Within a surprisingly short span of time, Alexander's work develops fully, touching on a range of emotions." ‑ Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

"This is praise with a sharp purpose, reminding us that peace is no free gift, but a struggle against bloody impulse." ‑ Bruce Bush, Cantabile Chamber Chorale Notes (Piscataway, NJ)

Shelter This Candle SATB, oboe, horn, harp and cello:

"Following was the stunning Shelter this Candle, composed in 2007 by Elizabeth Alexander... Using text from Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "To the Wife of a Sick Friend," Alexander managed to sculpt light in sound, evoking the troubled winds of fate that threaten the flickering candle of life.  The piece begins with the instrumental quartet, building steadily with each instrument weaving in and out of the texture until suddenly, they are joined by the whispering chorus characterized as the threatening wind.  The [Kansas City] Chorale's rock-steady technique and vocal unity made their entrance in this piece and the subsequent clear-toned vocalization some of the most exquisite moments of the concert." - KC Metropolis

"[Shelter This Candle] yokes a somber Edna St. Vincent Millay poem to gentle, ethereal music that leaves one feeling inspired and peaceful. - Kansas City Star

Trust the Seeds (SATB a cappella, chamber orch, or fl/ob/pno):

"The poetry is exquisite. And the changing meter matches the natural flow of the text so beautifully." ‑ Jodi Rinehimer, Director of Music, MasterSingers of the Berks Classical Children's Chorus (Reading, PA)

When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled (SATB a cappella or flute, TTBB a cappella):

"Here's a lovely, homophonic anthem...and what a text! Very well done." ‑ Creator Magazine

"Hope you have a great Christmas. Thank you for this beautiful piece. The choir loves it and it makes me cry." ‑ Beth Norton, Director of Music, First Parish in Concord (Concord, MA)

"Woo hoo! Well done. I love the new ending -- just the ecstatic and hopeful feeling I was hoping for. Thank you." ‑ Jonathan Miller, Chicago A Cappella (Chicago, IL)

"...The most memorable moment might almost have been an afterthought:  the second encore, received by a crowd of about 300, who seemed reluctant to leave at the end of the evening. With delicacy and sincerity, the singers turned silence into stillness with Elizabeth Alexander's contemplative and hopeful When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled, set to Howard Thurman's poignant text." ‑ The Wednesday Journal (Chicago, IL)