Cooman: Rain Songs
Expected to ship in about a month.
- Composer: Carson Cooman (1982-)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: SATB Choir, Orchestra
- Work: Rain Songs, Op. 1146
- Binding: Spiral Bound
- Work Language: English
- Size: 8.7 x 14.0 inches
Description
Rain Songs (2016) for SATB chorus and orchestra was commissioned for the 80th anniversary of the Harvard Summer Chorus. It was premiered on July 29 and 31, 2016 by the Harvard Summer Chorus and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project under the direction of Andrew Clark; first at Sanders Theatre at Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and then at the Monadnock Music Festival (Peterborough, New Hampshire).
Mary Hunter Austin (1868-1934) was a significant nature writer on the subject of the American Southwest. She published a number of writings (non-fiction, novels, poems, and plays) that are the fruit of her study of American Indian culture in the Mojave Desert. The texts for this work are drawn from her collection The American Rhythm (1923), which contains what she termed "re-expressions" in English based on American Indian sources and ideas. Her work thus consists largely of new poems that partake of both style and character of the sources. Austin also believed that aspects of American Indian culture were in danger of being lost and should thus be preserved via writings. with the publication of The American Rhythm, she urged fellow writers to take on these styles of songs and poems as models for their own writing.
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Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
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Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
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Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
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Solo Part with Piano Reduction
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Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
