|
Organ and Choral Music
Theodore Morrison
Theodore Morrison began his professional performance career at the age of nineteen as organist-choirmaster at Baltimore's Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation, a post he held for ten years. In 1967 he founded the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, which under his direction became one of the finest community choral ensembles in the United States. During his sixteen seasons with the Society he frequently guest conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and collaborated with the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Pro Musica Rara. He was director of choral music and conductor of the chamber orchestra at Peabody Conservatory of Music from 1975 to 1978, and held a similar post at Smith College from 1981 to 1987. He is currently director of graduate studies in conducting at the University of Michigan School of Music, where he has taught since 1987.
Morrison's compositions include an overture for wind ensemble, a fifty-minute symphonic poem for full orchestra and chorus, several other large works for chorus and orchestra, chamber pieces for winds and strings, a sonata and a set of variations for organ, several works for chorus and organ, three song cycles, and numerous smaller choral pieces and songs. Presentations of his works have included performances by the Choral Arts Society of Washington in the Kennedy Center, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus with the Cincinnati Brass, the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Norman Scribner Choir, the Orphei Dränger Chor of Sweden, and a premiere under his direction at the Aspen Music Festival. In 2002, countertenor David Daniels and pianist Martin Katz premiered Morrison's song cycle, Chamber Music, on poems by James Joyce, and performed it in recitals throughout America.
| ARTISTS |
| Theodore Morrison, Conductor |
on Tracks 1, 7, 16–21 |
| Marilyn Mason, Organist |
on Tracks 8–15 |
| James Kibbie, Organist |
on Tracks 7, 16–21 |
| Karl Schrock, Organist |
on Tracks 2–6 |
| Scott Hanoian, Organist |
on Track 1 |
| University of Michigan Chamber Choir |
on Tracks 1, 7, 16–21 |
| Musicians from Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings |
on Tracks 16–21 |
| Caitlin Lynch, Soprano |
on Track 7 |
| Michael Gallant, Tenor |
on Tracks 16–21 |
| TRACKS |
| 1 |
Sing for Joy! (1987) |
3:11 |
| 2–6 |
Organ Sonata (1986) |
| I. Broad and Festive, Assertive |
3:17 |
| II. Gently Moving |
3:52 |
| III. Scherzo: Lively |
2:56 |
| IV. Rather Slow |
2:36 |
| V. Rondo: Vigorous, Driving |
3:44 |
| 7 |
Easter Joy (1996) |
8:27 |
| 8–15 |
The Gifts of the Spirit (1998) |
| Theme: The Gift of Prophecy |
0:32 |
| Var. 1: The Gift of Wisdom |
0:54 |
| Var. 2: The Gift of Knowledge |
0:40 |
| Var. 3: The Gift of Faith |
1:02 |
| Var. 4: The Gift of Healing |
2:00 |
| Var. 5: The Gift of Miraculous Powers |
1:01 |
| Var. 6: The Gift of Speaking in Tongues |
0:39 |
| Var. 7: "The Fruits of the Spirit" (Chaconne) |
2:39 |
| 16–21 |
Unto Us A Child Is Born: A Christmas Cantata (1983) |
| I. Chorus: Rorate celi desuper |
3:05 |
| II. Tenor Solo: Synarris, be glaid |
1:48 |
| III. Chorus: All clergy |
2:19 |
| IV. Chorus: Celestiall fowlis |
4:09 |
| V. Tenor Solo: Now spring up flouris |
4:00 |
| VI. Chorus: Syng, hevin imperiall |
3:10 |
| Total Playing Time |
56:01 |
 
|
| [ CD54 ] |
   |
![[CD Image]](../images_rec/054_morrison_01_150.jpg) |
| Categories: Organ Music, Chamber Music, Choral Music |
|