Vocal Music
Five Ancient Lyrics on Poems by Sappho
Soprano, Harp and Strings - Duration: c. 18:00
First Prize Winner
Shreveport Symphony 1980-81 Composers Competition
"Brilliantly conceived. Always certain of its direction, and displaying unity as well as variety" wrote Melinda Bargreen of the Everett Herald upon hearing the premiere by the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. This is a melodic and highly accessible work consisting of five songs set in English translated from the original ancient Greek fragments. Sappho's lyric poetry is beautifully enhanced and intensified by the musical setting.
Available on rental
The Skylark Sings Soprano and Orchestra - Duration: 31:00
"In an uninterrupted flow of seven songs, Kechley set to music a skillful collage of Japanese haikus, interwoven with Persian, Chinese and American Indian texts. A large orchestra, reinforced by varied and highly effective percussion instruments wrapped the soprano’s beautifully inflected discourse into a brightly shimmering cloak of sound.....Beauty, ineffable and ephemeral, was at the core of the words and of the music, and instantly achieved the ever-recurring miracle of transforming thoughts of death and loss and mourning into a rich, highly rewarding aesthetic experience. At the end of the piece, the chorus, perched high on the back balcony of the Ozawa Hall, intoned a moving Native American text: Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there I do not sleep." --Simon Wainrib, Berkshire Record. Following its premiere at Tanglewood, Andrew Pincus of the Berkshire Eagle wrote "The tone poem offers striking images: Japanese scales and instrumental effects, insects buzzing in the strings, a strong rhythmic punch for magic mushrooms’ effect, a leaf fluttering downward in a harp passage, a chorale in the brasses to suggest ‘the giant tortoise of paradise.’ And over all hovers the poignant voice, dwelling not on death but on life." Commissioned by the Berkshire Symphony.
Recorded on compact disc, The Skylark Sings: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 97892 (lisciorecordings.com)
Available on rental
Choral Works
With Silent Delight: Four Madrigals on Poems by William
Blake
SATB -Duration: 9:25
Four of Blake's highly descriptive poems are set in the "contemporary madrigal tradition" creating a larger form which begins with Morning and ends with the sun setting and the moon smiling down "in silent delight".
Price $3.00 (+S&H) minimum purchase 12 copies
Carpe Diem
SAB and Piano - Duration: 2:50
A lively setting of Horace, Odes 1.11.7-8 written for Williams College 1996 Commencement and dedicated to the composer's graduating son. The piano part is moderately difficult as it creates the sense of urgency expressed by Horace's words.
Price $2.00 (+S&H) minimum purchase 10 copies