Cycle of Friends

Duration

25’

Instrumentation

for soprano solo, SATB choir, and chamber orchestra

Description

“…exceptionally beautiful on many counts.”

Completed and premiered in 1996, Cycle of Friends is my first large-scale work and possibly still my favorite. It is a lush, emotional journey through five texts taken from such diverse sources as Tang Dynasty poetry of China, Sappho and Emily Dickinson, each dealing in its own way with the universal theme of friendship.

The piece is described in depth with an audio tour of each movement in this article celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the piece in 2016.

Instrumentation: Soprano solo; SSAATTBB Chorus (c. 50 members?); Chamber Orchestra (1,1,1,1 1 hn, 1 tpt, hp, perc, strings)

Duration: 5 movements; 25 minutes

PERUSAL SCORE & RENTAL INQUIRIES: michael.kaulkin@gmail.com

SATB Choral Works

Tumbalalayka

2’30”

The Noble Art of Music

2’

Fare Ye Well, My Darlin’

4’40”

Ducks in the Garden

2’25”

The Ballad of the Lost Lamb

6’

Are Friends Delight or Pain?

2’14”

Roll the Tide

3’50”

SSA & 2-Part Choral Works

Redbirds

4’45”

Psalm 117 (“Halelu et Adonai”)

2’

Extended Choral Works

Cycle of Friends

25’

Most This Amazing

11’45”

Orchestral Works

Cycle of Friends

25’

Letter to Hungary

15’15”

Misterium Tremendum

11’

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Project : Encore™ has found this work to be of exceptional merit. Its panel of internationally known conductors has selected the work for inclusion in its database of recommended choral music.

Praise for Cycle of Friends

…an all-too-rare combination of beautiful texts and refreshing, invigorating music.
—Johannes Somary, Conductor

…exceptionally beautiful on many counts.
—Michael Caruso, Chestnut Hill Local

…enchanting!
—Wes Kenney, Conductor

…subtle and fragrant – beautifully scored for both orchestra and chorus.
—John Corigliano, Composer

…some of the most luminous writing for soprano and orchestra since Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915.
—Mark Adamo, Composer

…wonderful musical textures and colors…
—Morris J. Beachy, Conductor