William C. White » Thy King Cometh

A moody piece for string orchestra, this movement opens my oratorio and is supposed to represent the 3 Wise Men wandering through the desert. There’s a bunch of little harmonics in the violin texture representing the twinkling of the star.

The opening violin solo is played by one of my best friends, and longtime collaborators, the incomparable Carlos Villarreal.

Here’s a clip from the recording session:

Magnificat

willcwhite — Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:07 +0000

for Solo Soprano and Orchestra (2 Flutes and Strings)

My setting of the Magnificat is for solo soprano and orchestra (strings and flutes) and is in two movements. I’ll admit my ignorance — I don’t know of any other settings of this text set for a solo soprano. I must have sung a bazillion Anglican church anthems on this text, but they’re all for choir. Anyhoo, it just made sense to me somehow.

I thought I was making a major mistake while writing this piece, because I kind of had a hybrid of several different lady sopranos’ voices in my head. The incomparably versatile Laura Lynch came in and nailed it, thus proving me wrong (or right, as the case may be).

Glory to God!

willcwhite — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 04:00:55 +0000

Anthem for Choir, Organ, Bells, Brass and Timpani (with a little solo soprano bit).

The traditional text for Christmas Eve, this piece was premiered at about 11:30 PM on December 24, 2006. Here’s me conducting a concert performance of it:

Prepare Ye The Way

willcwhite — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:00:41 +0000

Anthem for 2 Flutes, Choir and Organ (or Strings)

The first number from Thy King Cometh, this is my little ode to pastoral music in 6/8. It’s also the fullest realization of my modal ideas.

Here’s a clip from a concert performance of the whole oratorio, re-orchestrated for strings instead of organ. I think it works much better this way:

Alleluia

willcwhite — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:00:58 +0000

Response for Choir, Organ and Brass

Just a little pentatonic melody. The one problem with this piece is that I can NEVER seem to get choirs to sing it like the piece of pure pop indulgence that it is. My life is so hard sometimes.

My Soul Thirsteth

willcwhite — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:00:50 +0000

Duet for Bass and Violin

This piece is supposed to represent Jesus parched atop the cross. The violinist progressively de-tunes the strings of his instrument. the result is heard clearly at the end of the piece.

Performed by the genius combination of Michael Cavalieri (baritone) and Carlos Villarreal (violin).

The Transgressions of the Wicked

willcwhite — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:00:45 +0000

Anthem for Choir, Organ, Brass and Timpani

This piece continues my little idea of having a sort of Greek Chorus of Men narrate the Passion. The main body of the movement is built over a descending tetrachord ostinato played as a wicked tango rhythm.

This is the Day

willcwhite — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:00:45 +0000

Introit for Choir, Organ and Brass

A nice little ditty to a familiar set of words. I particularly like the cutsy-pootsy way this piece ends.

And the Lord Shall Deliver Me

willcwhite — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:00:44 +0000

Anthem for Women’s Chorus and Strings

I think this is the best piece I have yet written. The entire thing is based on the simplest possible scalar motive (C Major) and in the second half, only two pitches change. Despite this tremendous economy of means, I think the piece works. I certainly intended it for women, but I’d love to hear it done with a good boys’ choir sometime.