Contemporary classical music for Voice – a collection of modern song cycles, art songs, lighter songs, and song arrangements by composer David Avshalomov, including sound files and scores.
First Laureate, VII Dunaevesky Vocal Composition Contest 2020, Moscow (“Goodnight Moon”)
| Listen | Score | Title | Voice | Accomp. | Dur. | Lyrics by | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | The Ceremony of Innocence | Bass-baritone | piano | 8' | Yeats The Second Coming | 2000 | |
| Order This» | Dramatic solo mini-oratorio about the mystical cycles of the millennia. Also available with orchestra with Ozymandias (as "Two Apocalyptic Songs") Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
| The Ceremony of Innocence, trio | B-bar | piano, flute, viola | 8' | Yeats The Second Coming | 2001 | ||
| Order This» | Version with piano, flute, viola. Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert | Notes» | |||||
| Chanukah Tonight! | High voice | piano | 2'45 | David Avshalomov | 2011 | |
| Order This» | Quick glimpse of the legend, tradition, and observance of the Jewish Festival of Lights.Exuberant syncopated setting building up to the bright celebration on the eighth night. (Also for chorus with piano or strings) | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
| Chuck Niles (Oh, Yeah) | Medium/Low voice | Bass (opt. drums) | 1' | David Avshalomov | 2004 | |
| Order This» | A short jazz tribute to the late great LA Jazz DJ, Chuck Niles, written right after he passed. Nobody loved the jazz more. | ||||||
| Come Here Lookin' (for What It Is) | Low voice | Bass (or vocal bass), or guitar | 3' - 6' | David Avshalomov | 2009 | |
| Order This» | A simple tonal strophic song about nature, its human scars, and getting back to the way it was meant to be. Verses observing many mountain creatures, passionate summary ending. | Lyrics» | |||||
| Trebles Solo | | Goodnight Moon | Med solo voice or Unison Treble Chorus | keyboard (opt. flute) | 3' | Margaret Wise Brown | 1986 |
| Request» | First Laureate, VII Dunaevesky Vocal Composition Contest 2020, Moscow A sweet, simple, tuneful setting of the classic children's "nite-nite" book. Sound sample: Sung by the composer (in F). Also nice for unison treble chorus (candid recording: San Gabriel Valley Choral Company Kids Choir, Zanaida Robles, Director.) Watch UTube Video of the book with the song. | ||||||
| Trebles/Quintet | | Goodnight Moon (chamber version) | Med solo voice or Unison Treble Chorus | piano/keyboard, string quartet, flute | 3' | Margaret Wise Brown | 1986/ 2007 |
| Request» | Version with strings, piano/keyboard, flute (in Eb). Also nice with unison treble chorus. | ||||||
| Hashkiveinu | Low | piano | 5' | (Trad.) | 1999 | |
| Order This» | Romantic, dramatic full setting of the traditional prayer, commissioned by Cantor Shula Merton, Temple Beth El, Orange County CA. Key of C or Bb. | Lyrics» | |||||
| I Dreamed I Saw Pete Seeger | Medium voice | Opt. guitar or banjo | 1' | David Avshalomov | 2014 | |
| Order This» | A simple folk tribute to the shining light and musical inspiration of Pete, written right after he passed. | ||||||
| If You Want Peace (Work for Justice) | Medium voice or group | a cappella | variable (short verses) | David Avshalomov | 2000 | |
| Request This» | A simple A/B organizing/resistance song. Add your own verses for the situation at hand. Justice Choir Songbook Vol. 1 2017, featured song | ||||||
| The Last Act | Low | piano | 6' | Louise Bogan | 2000 | |
| Order This» | Slow, arch art song about the loss and remembrance of a lover | Lyrics» | |||||
| A Mind of Winter | Bar | strings with harp; or piano | 5' | Doris Avshalomov | 1985 | |
| Order This» | A nature song, slow/moderate/slow, relishing the sluggish awakening of Spring. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
| Orchestra Song | Operatic Soprano | orchestra | 2' | David Avshalomov | 1989 | |
| Order This» | Narrator's final summary variation on the simple theme song for "Let's Grow an Orchestra", big aria ending. Sound sample: Sung by Gwendolyn Lytle in concert, with the Long Beach Symphony conducted by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
| Our Civil rights | Bass or Baritone | piano | 2'30 | Thos. Jefferson | 1993 | |
| Order This» | Bitter, dignified elaboration of the relationship between religious choice and individual civil rights. Grim ending. Excerpted from Principles, (see Choral with Band). | Lyrics» | |||||
| Ozymandias | Bass-baritone | piano | 6' | Shelley | 2000 | |
| Order This» | Dramatic, ironic narrative about the remnants of a proud empire. Also available with orchestra, with Ceremony of Innocence(as "Two Apocalyptic Songs") Sound sample: Sung by the composer in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | Lyrics» | Notes» | ||||
| SEE ON YOUTUBE (1-7) CONCLUSION (8-9) | SONGS OF LIFE / SONGS OF DEATH | Bass-baritone | piano | 22' total | Emily Dickinson | 2000 | |
| Order Set» | (piano/vocal) | Colorful, highly melodic double set of nine short songs on common Dickinson themes and motifs: snakes, nature, the sea, horses, trains, bells, love, sex, sublimation, hope, fear, insanity, pain, God, fear of death -- and its acceptance. Ranging from hopeful contagious enthusiasm to morbid melodrama. The two sets can be performed separately. See individual titles below. Also available with orchestra. Sound samples: Sung by the composer in concert, with William Schmidt, piano | All Lyrics» | Note» | |||
| A Narrow Fellow in the Grass | B-bar | piano | 1'45 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Nimble, ironic expression of instinctual fear of snakes -- "zero at the bone". | ||||||
| The Railway Train | Bass-baritone | piano | 2'30 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Fast, evocative depiction of the power and fascination of this huge rolling machine. | ||||||
| Wild Nights | Bass-baritone | piano | 1'30 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Fast, splashy outburst, dreams of abandon to wild open-hearted lovemaking, borne by sea metaphors -- almost X-rated. | ||||||
| Wild Nights | Med Voice | piano | 1'30 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | ||||||
| Hope is the Thing with Feathers | Bass-baritone | piano | 2'20 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Irish-sounding ballad, simple, lyrical, touching slow melody. Key of C. (Also available with chamber scoring: piano or harp, flute, string quintet) | ||||||
| Hope is the Thing with Feathers | High Voice | piano; also version with piano or harp, string quintet, flute | 2'20 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Key of Eb. Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, chamber scoring version, with Pamela Pyle, piano; Jonna Newcomb-Carter, flute; Denali strings. | ||||||
| It Was Not Death | Bass-baritone | piano | 3'30 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Frozen, helpless expression of paralyzing fear of death arriving with no evident cause - in broad daylight, over descending bell tones. Long slow arch with despairing end. | ||||||
| The Heart Asks Pleasure First | B or Bar | piano | 2' | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Consoling, sweet hospice lyric suggesting a loved one slowly dying in hospital, in great pain, and the blessed liberty/privilege to die. Slow, long intensifying arch to the top and low ending. | ||||||
| I Felt a Funeral in My Brain | Bass-baritone | piano | 3'30 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | The horror of witnessing her own funeral - or losing her mind? Grimmest slow march with quotes from Chopin, Tchaikowsky, Mahler. | ||||||
| Tie the Strings to my Life | Bass-baritone | piano | 1'45 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Brave song asking God for just a last glance and kiss of the hills, then she is ready to go. Gallant English-sounding melody over a cheerful lively galloping motif, inner moment of wistfulness, triumphant end. Key of D. | ||||||
| Tie the Strings to my Life | High Voice | piano | 1'45 | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Key of F. Sound sample: Sung by Bunny Thornburgh in concert, with Pamela Pyle, piano | ||||||
| Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Tango/Encore) | Bass-baritone | piano | 3' | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Taut tango in ersatz ballroom-dance-of-doom style to match the arch, artificial politesse of the poem. Mock-solemn mood, melody and harmony traditionally sentimental. | ||||||
| Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Tango/Encore) | Low Voice | piano | 3' | Emily Dickinson | ||
| Order This» | Treble clef version for low voice. | ||||||
| Two Households | Tenor/Baritone duet | opt. guitar | 2' | Shakespeare | 2002 | |
| Order This» | Quasi-Elizabethan setting of the Prologue to Romeo and Juliet. Written for my son Zack for a classroom presentation. | Lyrics» | |||||
| You Can't Have It All | Baritone | piano or theater ensemble | 4' | David Avshalomov | 1986 | |
| Order This» | Ironic series of philosophical clichés about desires and fulfillment, in light Kurt Weill simulation style. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | Lyrics» | |||||
| You Are the Girl | Med | piano | 3' | David Avshalomov | 1975 | ||
| Order This» | Love song, sheer devotion and infatuation. 50s ballad. | ||||||
| Songs from TEST OF FAITH | soli, ensemble | piano or small pit ensemble | David Avshalomov | 1982 | |||
| Selected songs and choruses from a youth musical on the Spanish Inquisition's persecution of the Marranos. (See individual titles below.) | |||||||
(Instrumental version) | "Barcelona" | middle range unis chorus | piano or small pit ensemble | 2' | David Avshalomov | ||
| The people of Barcelona, including the Jews/Marranos, celebrate city pride in an up-tempo R&B-flavored ensemble number. | |||||||
(Instrumental version) | "People are Missing" | middle range soli, 2-part chorus | piano or small pit ensemble | 3' | David Avshalomov | ||
| A worried Marrano child notices her friend has disappeared, the grownups pick up her fear. Light 70's pop syncopated style, modal, ensemble number. | |||||||
| "Gone" | low female solo, unis backups | piano or small pit ensemble | 3' | David Avshalomov | ||
| A distraught Marrano daughter mourns her suddenly-imprisoned family while the neighbors comfort her. Sad 1920s torch song. | |||||||
| "Shy" | middle range duet | piano or small pit ensemble | 2' | David Avshalomov | |||
| Two shy youngsters separately express their mutual secret crush. Sweet slow simple melody, brief duet. | |||||||
| "Dungeon Ballet" | instrumental | piano or small pit ensemble | 3'30 | ||||
| Grim passacaglia with wild buildup in dueling drumsets, synths, brass, for dance of carting Marranos off to the dungeon. | |||||||
| "To Save Your Soul" | boy or girl alto | piano or small pit ensemble | 2' | David Avshalomov | |||
| The Grand Inquisitor relishes his work torturing people to confess and repent--before they die. Glam rock, electric organ solo. Sound sample: Sung by the composer | |||||||
SONG ARRANGEMENTS
| Listen | Score | Title | Composer | Voices | Key | Accomp. | Dur. | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Find the Cost of Freedom | Steven Stills | (A)ATB soli | d minor | a cappella | 1'30 | 1970/2007 | |
| Order This» | Simple a cappella transcription (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
| Ghost Riders in the Sky | Stan Jones | Low solo, SAT backups | d | piano | 3' | 1948/2007 | |
| Order This» | One of my favorite Cowboy Songs. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
| On Top of Old Stewball | (trad.) | SATB soli | C | a cappella | 3' | 2007 | |
| Order This» | Folk Quodlibet sequencing, then overlaying four familiar folk tunes with related melodies. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
| (vocal score/piano reduction) | | SERGEANT PEPPER MEDLEY | Lennon/McCartney | TTBB chorus with Tenor, Baritone soli; (or vocal quintet/sextet) | combo (or concert band) | 14-16' | 1970-72 | |
| Order This» (see BAND Works for full band score) | Fun transcription medley from the Beatle's amazing first concept album. Created for and premiered by the USAF Band and Singing Sergeants, Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Commander/ Conductor. Can be performed with men’s chorus and soloists, or with amplified solo quintet/sextet of good vocal Beatles imitators. | |||||||
| NJ | 1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | Lennon/McCartney | Recording: Orpheus Men's Choir, Ridgewood Band, New Jersey | G | 1'30 | |||
| NJ | 2. With a Little Help from My Friends | Lennon/McCartney | E | 2' | ||||
| NJ | 3. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds | Lennon/McCartney | A G | 1'20 | ||||
| NJ | 4. It's Getting Better All the Time | Lennon/McCartney | C | 1'45 | ||||
| USAF | 5. She's Leaving Home | Lennon/McCartney | Recording: USAF Band DC/Singing Sgts./Gabriel | E | 1'30 | |||
| USAF | 6. When I'm 64 | Lennon/McCartney | Db | 1'45 | ||||
| USAF | 7. Lovely Rita Meter Maid | Lennon/McCartney | E | 1'40 | ||||
| USAF | 8. Sgt Pepper Reprise | Lennon/McCartney | F G | 1'25 | ||||
| 9. A Day in the Life | Lennon/McCartney | G E | (with concert band only) | 2'15 | ||||
| Sixteen Tons | Merle Travis | Low solo, SAT backups | c minor | piano | 4' | 1946/2007 | |
| Order This» | Tennessee Ernie Ford version. (Sound sample: sung by David A. and friends.) | |||||||
| Venezuela | John Jacob Niles | Low | C# | piano | 2' | 1918/2007 | |
| Order This» | Possibly the most beautiful song melody ever. (Sound sample: sung by David A.) | |||||||