Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCRL222
Release Date: 2010-07-01
Choir of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D. C.;
Shirley Meyer, soprano; William McDonald, tenor; William Harvey Graham, bass; Charles T. Chapman, carillonneur; Stephen H. Prussing, conductor;
Gerard R. Schwarz, John W. Eckert, trumpets; Edward R. Birdwell, horn; Arnold Fromme, trombone
Johan Franco's As The Prophets Foretold is scored for chorus, soloists, brasses and carillon; the bells are those of the Singing Tower Carillon of Luray, Va.; a recording of this performance is used when the cantata is performed.
Text for As The Prophets Foretold was written by the composer's wife and set to music during the year 1955. Mr. Franco says that the music "wrote itself," and flowed directly from the text, rhapsodically. The recording was made in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, in Washington, D. C. by the same choir that first performed the cantata in 1956.
When asked about Excursions Parks Grant supplied the following words:
“Excursions is the second of three suites for two trumpets, horn, and trombone. It was written between November 1950 and June 1951, while I was living in Philadelphia.
“I. Prelude. The instruments enter its imitation, the principal theme having the character of a vigorous ‘call’. At one point a three-measure passage carries each instrument from practically its lowest to its highest possible tone.
“II. Color-Melodies. In this quiet movement the melodies constantly pass from one instrument to another within the course of the phrase, thus causing the tone-color to change from trumpet, to muted trumpet, to horn, and trombone, with no break in the music.
“III. Study With Twelve Tones. An 'excursion' into the strict 12-tone system – but my kind of 12-tone, purposely slanted toward D minor, for I am anything but a dogmatist on this technique. There are elements from the second movement but the spirit is closer to that of the first.
“IV. Nocturne. Another quiet movement, in much of which two instruments keep up a steady quarter-note motion in unequal parallel intervals. 3-2 and 4-2 lime predominate.
“V. Homage to J.S.B. (Prelude and Fugue). Since the finale is really two movements joined, one might argue that Excursions has six rather than five movements. The Prelude is in leisurely 6-4 time, often using the figure B-flat A C B (B A C H its German notation). The Fugue is a more rollicking 9-8, and brings the suite to a brilliant conclusion.”
Shirley Meyer, soprano; William McDonald, tenor; William Harvey Graham, bass; Charles T. Chapman, carillonneur; Stephen H. Prussing, conductor;
Gerard R. Schwarz, John W. Eckert, trumpets; Edward R. Birdwell, horn; Arnold Fromme, trombone
Johan Franco's As The Prophets Foretold is scored for chorus, soloists, brasses and carillon; the bells are those of the Singing Tower Carillon of Luray, Va.; a recording of this performance is used when the cantata is performed.
Text for As The Prophets Foretold was written by the composer's wife and set to music during the year 1955. Mr. Franco says that the music "wrote itself," and flowed directly from the text, rhapsodically. The recording was made in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, in Washington, D. C. by the same choir that first performed the cantata in 1956.
When asked about Excursions Parks Grant supplied the following words:
“Excursions is the second of three suites for two trumpets, horn, and trombone. It was written between November 1950 and June 1951, while I was living in Philadelphia.
“I. Prelude. The instruments enter its imitation, the principal theme having the character of a vigorous ‘call’. At one point a three-measure passage carries each instrument from practically its lowest to its highest possible tone.
“II. Color-Melodies. In this quiet movement the melodies constantly pass from one instrument to another within the course of the phrase, thus causing the tone-color to change from trumpet, to muted trumpet, to horn, and trombone, with no break in the music.
“III. Study With Twelve Tones. An 'excursion' into the strict 12-tone system – but my kind of 12-tone, purposely slanted toward D minor, for I am anything but a dogmatist on this technique. There are elements from the second movement but the spirit is closer to that of the first.
“IV. Nocturne. Another quiet movement, in much of which two instruments keep up a steady quarter-note motion in unequal parallel intervals. 3-2 and 4-2 lime predominate.
“V. Homage to J.S.B. (Prelude and Fugue). Since the finale is really two movements joined, one might argue that Excursions has six rather than five movements. The Prelude is in leisurely 6-4 time, often using the figure B-flat A C B (B A C H its German notation). The Fugue is a more rollicking 9-8, and brings the suite to a brilliant conclusion.”
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.
We have preserved the original CRI LP catalog number for this title, preceded by the prefix NWCRL, to distinguish previously unavailable back catalog titles from those later reissued by CRI on compact disc.
Johan Franco: As the Prophets Foretold/Parks Grant: Excursions
| MP3/320 | $7.99 | |
| FLAC | $7.99 | |
| WAV | $7.99 | |
| CD-R | $7.99 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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As the Prophets Foretold: I. The Ascent
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: II. Golgotha
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: III. The Casting of Lots
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: IV. With the Transgressors
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: V. It Is Finished
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: VI. What Have We Done?
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: VII. The Burial
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: VIII. The Third Day
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: IX. He Is Risen
Johan Franco
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As the Prophets Foretold: X. The Significance
Johan Franco
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Excursions, Op. 38: I. Prelude
Parks Grant
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Buy
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Excursions, Op. 38: II. Color-melodies
Parks Grant
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Buy
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Excursions, Op. 38: III. Study with Twelve Tones
Parks Grant
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Buy
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Excursions, Op. 38: IV. Nocturne
Parks Grant
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Buy
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Excursions, Op. 38: V. Homage to J.S.B. (Prelude and Fugue)
Parks Grant
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Buy
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