William Albright's "A Song to David" is a captivating oratorio that masterfully blends the poetic genius of Christopher Smart with Albright's distinctive musical composition. Released in 2010 under the Gothic label, this 24-track album spans a duration of 1 hour and 12 minutes, offering a rich and immersive listening experience.
Albright, renowned for his works for organ and piano, showcases his versatility and depth in this choral masterpiece. The oratorio is divided into five parts, each exploring different themes such as David, Creation, Virtue, Adoration, and Creation and Redemption. The album features a stellar cast of vocalists, including soprano Deborah Carbaugh, mezzo-soprano Susan Sacquitne-Druck, tenor Rick Penning, bass James Bohn, and a chorus led by Howard Don Small.
The music is a testament to Albright's ability to convey the profound and the sublime through his compositions. The album's intricate layering of vocal harmonies and the powerful narratives woven into the lyrics create a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience. Each part of the oratorio is introduced by a chorus, setting the stage for the subsequent sections that delve into the themes with both lyrical beauty and musical complexity.
"A Song to David" is not just a collection of songs but a cohesive musical journey that reflects the depth of Smart's poetry and Albright's compositional prowess. The album's release in 2010 marked a significant contribution to the choral music repertoire, showcasing Albright's unique ability to blend traditional and contemporary elements into a harmonious whole. Whether you are a fan of choral music, a lover of classical compositions, or simply someone seeking a profound musical experience, "A Song to David" is an album that promises to engage and inspire.
(C) 2010 Gothic(P) 2010 Gothic
Tracks
A Song to David: Pt. I, David (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. I, David: Invocation (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. I, David: Great, valiant, pious, good, and clean (Narrator, Chorus, Tenor, Soprano)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. I, David: His muse, bright angel of his verse (Narrator)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. I, David: He sung of God - The mighty source (Chorus, Narrator, Tenor, Bass)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. I, David: Blest was the tenderness he felt (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. II, Creation: Introduction. Praise (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. II, Creation: The pillars of the Lord Are seven (Narrator, Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. II, Creation: O David, scholar of the Lord! (Narrator)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. III, Virtue: Introduction. Praise (Chorus, Mezzo-soprano)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. III, Virtue: There Is but One who ne'er rebell'd (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. III, Virtue: Tell them I am, Jehova said (Narrator 1 and 2, Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. III, Virtue: O David, highest in the list (Narrator 1 and 2)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. IV, Adoration: Introduction. Praise (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. IV, Adoration: Praise above all - For praise prevails (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. IV, Adoration: For Adoration seasons change (Chorus, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. IV, Adoration: For Adoration, David's psalms (Narrator 1, Chorus, Narrator 2)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Introduction. Praise (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Sweet Is the dew That falls betimes (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Strong Is the horse upon his speed (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Beauteous the fleet before the gale (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Precious the bounteous widow'w mite (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Glorious the sun in mid career (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small
A Song to David: Pt. V, Creation and Redemption: Alleluia (Chorus)William Albright, Deborah Carbaugh, Susan Sacquitne-Druck, Rick Penning, James Bohn, Melissa Semmes, Charles Russell, Dean Billmeyer, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, Howard Don Small