Choral Music

Ubi Caritas is a beautiful text that expresses charity, love, and understanding, so much needed in today's frantic life. The music is particularly suited for this text. A tuneful melody is passed throughout the four voices with a straightforward harmonization. Tensions are created by the extensive use of suspensions and added notes such as sevenths and ninths to the pure major minor triads. The piece begins with a tranquil mood. The composition slowly builds to the high point where the text Ubi Caritas is repeated. The initial atmosphere is reestablished in the last section.

The composition was commisioned by my publisher Robert Schuneman for The Stanford Chamber Chorale.

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The composition is scored for 4 Soli, double choir, the orchestra brass section and four percussionists. The music begins with a lyrical melody setting the word Magnificat . The counterpoint becomes more intricate in the section of uia fecit mihi magna. One of the high point of the composition is reached with dispersit superbos mente cordi sui. The text is spoken to represent the sense of confusion that the text expresses: He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. The music suddenly will return to a very expressive counterpoint setting the text et exaltavit humiles (and has exalted the humble). A flourished communicative trumpet solo will emerge from the choir. The composition will end with a recapitulation of the initial theme. At first it is a mere repetition, but later it will develop into the subject of the final fugue which conveys the joyfulness of the text Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. (Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit).

A piano and choir version is also available.

This piece was commissioned by The Stanford Chamber Chorale.

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This composition is dedicated to Bishop William Swing. A perfect song for a two part choir, it is ideal as an anthem for a Sunday service or for any concert series.

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A jazzy, joyful and enjoyable Anthem for the Easter Sunday service. It is available for choir and piano; choir, piano and brass; choir, piano and string quartet.

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The Mass is based on a joyful, syncopated rhythm. The melodic lines are beautiful, especially in the soprano and tenor solo parts. The choral part is very candid, following traditional four-part writing. The orchestration is at times thick, relaying heavily on the percussion instruments. The intermezzo contrasts with the rest of the composition in the intricate contrapuntal writing for the divided string orchestra.

The composition is available in three different versions:
Solos, Chorus, Piano and Percussions
Solos, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra
Solos, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra

The composition is dedicated to the memory of Massimo Archetti.

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This composition is based on the traditional text of the Lord's Prayer. It is scored for a soprano solo, 2 French Horns and String Orchestra. A piano reduction is also available.

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This composition was commissioned by Stanford University for the inauguration of its 10th President John Hennessy. It is based on one of Jane Stanford's speech to the board of trustees. Scored for Choir, Brass and Percussions.

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It is a song for a cappella SATB choir. Hauntingly beautiful with the text in the composer's native Italian. Since its release, it has been performed all over the US. Accessible to any choir.

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My Father's Gaze is the harmonization of an English folk tune. Tonal and modern at the same time, it has an elaborate contrapuntal writing. However, at the end it develops in a traditional four part writing. Scored for Solo, Choir and a Brass Quintet, is an excellent addition to any choral concert.

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