Shores of Shadow : Chorales on Poems by Carl Sandburg (SSAATTBB)

Shores of Shadow (music ©2006 by E. Lein) are a cappella choral settings of four poems in the Public Domain by the great American poet Carl Sandburg (1878-1967).

The settings were composed in Jacksonville, Florida, during the spring of 2006. The title for the set originally was to have been Sandburg Chorales, in reference to their essentially homophonic (i.e., chordal) style. Instead, a title was drawn from the 3rd poem that reflects the thread of twilight and night that runs through the verses.

Performance Notes
If all of the "chorales" are performed as a set, the introductory Under the Harvest Moon may be reprised (without the repetition) after The Great Hunt. The repetitons in the 1st, 3rd and 4th pieces are optional.

The conductor is given a great deal of latitutude with regard to dynamics and tempo. The dynamics (generally printed between the the women's and men's parts) are only suggestions. The metronome markings are approximations, and generally indicate a pace that should not be exceeded. Otherwise, the liberal addition of rubato, ritardando, etc., to highlight the phrasing of the poetry is expected

The following mp3 recordings are of arrangements for string orchestra; the printed music includes only the principal melody with  the words.

1. Under the Harvest Moon

http://sites.google.com/site/edwardlein/Home/choral-music/choral-files/Shores-db-1.mp3

2. Valley Song

http://sites.google.com/site/edwardlein/Home/choral-music/choral-files/Shores-db-2.mp3

3. At a Window

http://sites.google.com/site/edwardlein/Home/choral-music/choral-files/Shores-db-3.mp3

4. The Great Hunt

http://sites.google.com/site/edwardlein/Home/choral-music/choral-files/Shores-db-4.mp3