Listen

for mixed SATB choir and Instrumental Sextet

Written: 2021-22
Duration: 20'
for SATB choir (3 choir members play a single crotale or Tingsha) and instrumental sextet (fl. [doubling alto fl.], cl., vln., vcl, perc. [vibraphone, concert bass drum, four concert tom-toms, large tam-tam, medium suspended cymbal, medium and small triangles, Mark tree, medium and large wood blocks], and piano).
Commissioned by Ember, Deborah Simpkin King, music director, and conductor, in honor of their 25th anniversary
World Premiere: Ember, Deborah Simpkin King, music director, and conductor, St. John’s in the Village, New York, NY, May 21, 2022; Our Lady of Sorrows Church, South Orange, NJ, May 22, 2022 
PublisherBill Holab Music

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PROGRAM NOTE

Most people want to be heard and want to be loved, and we are usually better at talking than listening. We are often so immersed in ourselves that we not only forget to listen to others in a meaningful, effective way but also to the world around us. With that in mind, Listen is about listening to each other and the world around us more deeply, especially concerning our environment. In that sense, this piece could have been titled “Deep Listening,” but since this work is meant to be more a call to action than an alliteration of a musical concept, I felt that Listen was a more appropriate title. Listen uses a tapestry of quotes from various well-known sources, both ancient and contemporary, that are about or related to the environment. My main goal through this piece is to create a musical call to action, encourage listening, and help to raise awareness about our environment and the natural world around us.

Listen is scored for choir (3 members playing Tingshas or crotales) and chamber ensemble, consisting of a flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, and piano, and was commissioned by and is dedicated to Ember, Deborah Simpkin King, music director, and conductor, in honor of their 25th anniversary.

Quotes

Robert!! BRAVO!! It was such a pleasure to tune in last night to hear the premiere of “Listen”... a wonderful, heart-filled, challenging work. It was truly an honor to have my short “Meditation” serve as sort of a sonic “upbeat” for “Listen!” Your orchestrations had the chamber ensemble sounding like a full orchestra. A wonderfully successful work, from downbeat to double bar. Well done!! Hats off to you, and cheers from Canadaland.
— James Grant, Composer