Phillips Church Te Deum: Te Deums are generally joyous, though this one is not. It was written as a memorial piece for a friend and reflects anger, sadness, and confusion. The text comes from the stained-glass windows of Phillips Church, in Exeter, NH, where the composer grew up and where his friend was both baptized and memorialized. [perusal score]
sepulchrum mutum: The poet Catullus (so often bawdy and outspoken) is here in a quiet moment, caring for a friend. The poet has his doubts about the afterlife, but his desire to care for his friend allows him to find ways to give comfort. The voices pair off in various ways, trying to get into synch with one another — Trying to find words, or logic, or anything useful to say. At the close of the piece there is a coming together, and the choir finds their voice and gives the needed solace. [perusal score]