Psalms, the first work recorded here, was composed by Lukas Foss on commission from the Stockbridge Bowl Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 1955-56. The text consists of excerpts from four psalms. In describing the music, Foss writes: “Regardless of the division into three parts, Psalms is actually a one-movement composition. Psalm 98 forms the main body of the work. The beginning (Psalms 121, 95) is an invocation and prelude; the end (Psalm 23) is a closing prayer and epilogue.”
Behold! I Build an House (Mercury Music Corp.) was composed for the dedication of a Boston University Chapel in 1950. The text is drawn from the book of Chronicles.
Seymour Shifrin's Serenade for Five Instruments was commissioned by the Juilliard School of Music and received its first performance on February 17, 1956, as part of the School’s Fiftieth Anniversary Festival. The work is in three movements. “The title is given not in any generic sense,” comments the composer. “It derives primarily from the character of the slow middle movement and the relative directness and simplicity of the formal procedures used throughout.”
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The American Academy and its parent organization, the National Institute of Arts and Letters, are honorary societies with a distinguished membership of creative artists. They are chartered by act of Congress, and devoted to the furtherance of the arts in the United States.
Through joint committees of selection, these societies every year award fifteen grants of one thousand dollars each to young artists in recognition of distinction and promise. Three of these grants go annually to composers.
In the spring, an exhibition of the works of award winners in painting and sculpture is held at the Academy building. In 1956, it was decided to inaugurate a series with the similar purpose of calling attention to the works of award winners in music.
This release, presented with the collaboration of Composers Recordings, Inc., introduces to the public works by Lukas Foss and Seymour Shifrin, 1957 award winners.
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This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Music of Foss & Shifrin
| MP3/320 | $13.00 | |
| FLAC | $13.00 | |
| WAV | $13.00 | |
| CD-R | $13.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Psalms
Lukas Foss
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Behold! I build an House
Lukas Foss
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Serenade for Five Instruments: I. Allegro Molto
Seymour Shifrin
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Serenade for Five Instruments: II. Largo assai
Seymour Shifrin
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Serenade for Five Instruments: III. Presto Molto
Seymour Shifrin
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