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Choral A Capella

Choral with Other Forces

Sacred Music Collection

Work in progress:
PRIMUM TEMPLA DEI




back to THE MUSIC OF JAY GORDON
Choral Works

CHORAL A CAPELLA

PRIMUM TEMPLA DEI for mixed voices in Latin 2018
a work on “God’s First Temples”, the last forests of the world as places of worship.

The Beagle
for mixed voices based on Darwin’s travel diaries 2013
a work exploring the near poetic expressions of nature’s beauty found in Darwin’s writings.

Monte Jalama for mixed voices on a poem by Abhindo Bhikkhu 2010
an impressionistic rumination on a Spanish mountain and its resident rain god

Thelonius Monk for men's voices on a poem by Stephen Dobyns 2010
a propulsive energy defines the mood introduced by traditional choral sections

The Keeping of the Soul for mixed voices (commission: Cantus and The National Lutheran Choir) 2009
an interfaith work that combines nine languages & religions exploring the meaning of death

The Keeping of the Soul for mixed voices 2013
an abridged version premiered in Canada 2014

Death is But Crossing the World, octavos from The Keeping of the Soul 2009
arrangements for SATB, SSAA, TTBB, soloist and guitar, soloist and piano
comforting words in the face of death from Quaker William Penn

Jesus Talking in SATB, SA & TB settings from the Gospel of Saint Matthew for mixed voices 2008
simple spare settings suitable for mateur choirs based on brief sayings
1/ Doubt (SATB)
2/ Follow me (TB)
3/ Measure (TB)
4/ Trust in Providence (SA)
5/ Two Sparrows (SA)
6/ Yes and no (SA)
7 Daylight (TB)
8/ Keep awake (TB)
9/ Give to anyone (SA)
10/ In the fields (SA)

The Split-Open Sky in SATB, SA & TB settings on the words of Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed 2007
an interfaith collection not meant to be all sung at one time, but grouped together in different ways to suit performer’s needs. The original idea was that the listeners wouldn’t know whose words were being sung
so as to actually hear the similarity between the teachings.

1/ Give to anyone (SA)
2/ In the fields (SA)
3/ Haste (SA)
4/ The crooked (SA)
5/ Yes and no (SA)
6/ Do not judge (SATB)
7/ Lord's Prayer (SATB)
8/ The law (SATB)
9/ Daylight (TB)
10/ Keep awake (TB)
11/ Middle course (TB)
12/ Summer Cloud (TB)
13/ The good things (TB)
14/ A sign (SATB)
15/ Kindly eyes (SATB)

Three Poems by Pessoa for mixed voices 2004
innocence and enchantment inform this contemplative music using poems from the 1914 Keeper of Sheep

If You Love, Love Openly for mixed voices, meditation bell & whip (commission) 2003
an uncompromising work that combines a Zen story with pre-Buddhist meditation teachings

The Amidah for alto cantor and massed voices (commission) 2002

Psalm 47 for adult and children's choirs (commission) 2002

The V’ahavta for alto cantor and massed voices (commission) 2002

Sixty Against One: the life of Joan of Arc for mixed voices a capella (commission) 1999
a popular work that brings Joan of Arc's moving story to life. The music has an Early Music flavor.
1/ Dream Long Dreams
2/ Valley of Colors
3/ Read! Here is News
4/ False Burgundy
5/ Sixty Against One: the Trial
6/ Hers was the Shortest Life

They Have Told Me Stories octavo settings from A Crown of Stars (see in Choral with Other Forces) 1997
text combines the Magi story with seasonal nature imagery in simpler settings than the complete work

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CHORAL WITH OTHER FORCES

The Love of Man for men’s voices, guitar, cello & bells based on David and Jonathan from the Old Testament 2017
an emotional work exploring life changing love.

The Uses of Winter for mixed voices and guitar 2006
a positive view of winter from Henry David Thoreau’s journals (1841–54)

Psalm 133 for massed voices, organ, brass, strings and percussion (commission) 2002

Psalm 150 for mixed voices, strings, marimba and drum (commission) 2002

Psalm 121 for mixed voices and organ (commission)

Isaiah 35 for mixed voices, trumpet, glockenspiel and piano (commission) 2002

The Yellow Waves for eight men’s voices and sacbut 1998
based on the Old English text of The Wanderer. A starkly powerful and somber music.

From the Portuguese of Fernando Pessoa, a setting of nine poems for SATT and guitar 1998
innocent settings of the Zen-like poems from the 1914 collection The Keeper of Sheep
1/ What We See
2/ Lightly, lightly
3/ If People Insist
4/ Poor Flowers
5/ The Bus has Gone By
6/ The Moonlight
7/ My Soul Knows Only Wind and Sun (guitar solo)
8/ Shepherds in Virgil
9/ Leaving No trace

A Crown of Stars for mixed choir and guitar on the Magi story (commission)1996
text combines the Magi story with seasonal nature imagery

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SACRED MUSIC COLLECTION

Isaiah 35 for mixed voices, trumpet, glockenspiel and piano (commission) 2002

Psalm 121 for mixed voices and organ (commission) 2002

Psalm 47 for adult and children's choirs (commission) 2002

Psalm 133 for massed voices, organ, brass, strings and percussion (commission) 2002

Psalm 150 for mixed voices, strings, marimba and drum sung in Spanish (commission) 2002

The V’ahavta for alto cantor and massed voices (commission) 2002

The Amidah for alto cantor and massed voices (commission) 2002