ESSENTIAL VOICES USA
Remember, Revere, Rejoice
Judith Clurman and Albany Records have released REMEMBER, REVERE, REJOICE (TROY1939), a collection of six works that embrace a range of emotions experienced in Jewish life – the Holocaust (Remember), a psalm setting (Revere), and love poetry and joy (Rejoice).
All of these original pieces and/or arrangements were commissioned by Essential Voices USA. The scores are available for purchase through Hal Leonard. The collection was produced and engineered by Silas Brown with Grady Bajorek, assistant engineer, and made possible with support from the Michael H. Baker Family Fund and individual contributions.
LINKS FOR LISTENING
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
Devotion
Judith Clurman and Acis Productions have released DEVOTION, a collection of three works.
Ave Maria (1:36)
Where there is Sadness, Joy (2:34)
Dona Nobis Pacem (1:02)
“Ave Maria,” a setting of the traditional Latin text, was written in 2014 by composer Bill Cutter for his Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chorus. It is the second work in Cutter’s collection, “Divine Mother.” “Where There is Sadness, Joy” was commissioned by Essential Voices USA. Composed in 2017, by the Frost School of Music faculty member Shawn Crouch, the text is a combination of the Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. “Dona Nobis Nobis,” a short round based on the traditional Latin text, was written for Judith’s Essential Voices USA in 2018, by Broadway’s award-winning orchestrator Jonathan Tunick.
The members of EVUSA that sang on these recordings are: Joseph Beutel, Paul D’Arcy, Margery Daley, Chole Holgate, Amy Justman, Helen Karloski, Steven Moore, Heather Petrie, Jamet Pittman, Gregory Purnhagen, Eric Sorrels, and Elisa Singer Strom.
These recordings can be streamed on all platforms. The published scores of the Cutter and Crouch scores are available through Hal Leonard. The recordings were produced and engineered by Silas Brown.
LINKS FOR LISTENING
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music
Silent Night
Essential Voices USA with mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and pianist Tedd Firth
The Firth/Clurman arrangement. scored for mixed voices, mezzo and piano, was originally released as part of the Essential Voices USA CD Holiday Harmonies. The recording, on the Sono Luminus label, can be streamed on all platforms. The published score is available through Hal Leonard (HL 50600458). The recording was produced by David Frost.
LINKS FOR LISTENING
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Amazon
• YouTube
Washington Women
Streaming and Downloads Available
David Chase & Judith Clurman composers
Judith Clurman conductor
Lee Musiker piano
Raman Ramakrishnan cello
- The Essence Of America: Condoleezza Rice
- For Centuries Now: Elena Kagan
- Freedom: Eleanor Roosevelt / Hillary Rodham Clinton / Betty Ford
- Those Of Us Who Shout: Margaret Chase Smith
- In The Field Of Equal Rights: Shirley Chisholm
- We Pride Ourselves: Laura Bush
- We Not Only Dream: Kamala Harris / Nancy Pelosi
- It Is Necessary: Sandra Day O’Connor
- It Took Me Quite A Long Time: Abigail Adams
- Remember The Ladies: Madeleine Albright
- Believe: Barbara Bush
- I Am Ever Hopeful / I Want A President: Ruth Bader Ginsburg / Michelle Obama
WASHINGTON WOMEN is a new collection of choral songs by David Chase and Judith Clurman. It is scored for mixed chorus, piano and cello. The texts are taken from speeches, opinions, and interviews of sixteen remarkable women from across the political spectrum, all of whom spent part of their lives associated with Washington DC – First Ladies, Senators, Congresswomen, Supreme Court Justices, Secretaries of State, Vice President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives: Abigail Adams, Madeleine Albright, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, Shirley Chisholm, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Betty Ford, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, Elena Kagan, Michelle Obama, Sandra Day O’Connor, Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Chase Smith.
The singers of Essential Voices USA are joined by pianist Lee Musiker and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The recording, on Acis (APL27921), can be streamed on all platforms.
The published score is available through Hal Leonard (HL00329483).
May You Heal
Streaming and Downloads Available
Judith Clurman conductor
James Cunningham and Lee Musiker piano
Raman Ramakrishnan cello
I. May You Heal
music: Mark Sirett
text: Bruce L. Ruben
II. Dona Nobis Pacem
music: Katie Jenkins
text: liturgy
III. When Science Triumphs
music: David Chase
text: Drs. Anthony Fauci (COVID), Matilde Krim (AIDS), Jonas Salk (POLIO)
IV. Responsibility
music: Mark Sirett
text: Hillel the Elder
V. I Celebrate Myself
music: Bill Cutter
text: Walt Whitman
“Judith Clurman conducts her excellent Essential Voices USA with dignity and beauty in “May You Heal,” a collection of five newly commissioned choral works that offer music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. The fine singers of Essential Voices USA offer richly satisfying performances on each piece…”
Times Square Chronicles
“Now more than ever, our students and our singers of all ages need a place to go and a place where they can find safety and healing. After more than two years of quarantine, those of us who love and need the safety and community of a music organization yearn to return. The ‘May You Heal’ cycle from the Judith Clurman Choral Series allows and encourages us find this in the music.”
Scott Foss, Concert and Classical Choral Editor @Hal Leonard
AMERICA AT HEART
Streaming and Downloads Available
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
Randy Graff Vocal
Brian Stokes Mitchell Vocal
I Reason to be Thankful
Larry Hochman/Sheldon Harnick
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocal
II Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
Irving Berlin/Emma Lazarus
Randy Graff, vocal; Lee Musiker, piano; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
III America the Beautiful
with Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens’s “WHEELS OF A DREAM”
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocal; Tedd Firth, piano; Kathryn Anderson, violin; Angela Pickett, viola; Michael Dahlberg, cello; Steve Lyon, oboe; and Rheagan Noleen, french horn
“So wonderful to listen to this beautiful recording by Brian Stokes Mitchell, Randy Graff and Essential Voices USA, especially today on the Inauguration of our 46th President! Extraordinarily moving as our country enters this new age.”
– Stephen Flaherty, composer
WORDS MATTER
Streaming and Downloads Available
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
James Cunningham Piano, Track I, II
Daniel Miller Cello, Track II
I Testimony
Stephen Schwartz
II Who Would You Be
Shawn Crouch
“‘Testimony’ was written using interviews for the ‘It Gets Better’ project, but to me it has always had a broader implication, speaking for those who have experienced bullying or felt shame for who they are, whatever the reason. I have always hoped for a good SATB performance, and hearing the piece so beautifully sung by the EVUSA under the always impeccable direction of Judith Clurman is a real joy for me.”
– Stephen Schwartz
“Schwartz and Clurman know how to tell a story, and they work in vocal color like Da Vinci did in oils. Clurman and EVUSA are justifiably proud of this recording and plan to do anti-bullying workshops in New York City.”
– Q on Stage
WINTER HARMONIES
Streaming and Downloads Available
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman, Conductor
Tessa Lark Violin, Track I
James Cunningham Piano, Track III, IV, V
Daniel Miller Cello, Track III
I Cradle Hymn
arr. David Chase
II Home
James Sizemore
III The First Noel
arr. David Chase
IV Eight Days of Lights
Judith Clurman and David Chase
V Everlasting Light
David Shire and Sheldon Harnick
“‘Winter Harmonies’ featuring Essential Voices USA is ESSENTIAL holiday music in my household… this year and moving forward! Brava to music director extraordinaire Judith Clurman and her GLORIOUS ensemble!”
– Frank DiLella, Spectrum News NY1
APPALACHIAN STORIES
Streaming and Downloads Available
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
Tessa Lark Violin
I. This Old Hammer
II. Pretty Saro
III. Down In A Coalmine
IV. Who Will Come and Go With Me
“I’ve long admired Judith Clurman and her superb ensemble of singers, Essential Voices USA. Now they’ve teamed up with the outstanding American violinist Tessa Lark, whose soulful fiddling adds a special touch to this beautiful song collection”
– Mindy Ratner, National Classical Music Host of Classical 24, American Public Media
“….this quartet of Appalachian folksongs arranged by David Chase and performed with robust poetic feeling by the Judith Clurman-led Essential Voices USA is hugely satisfying.”
– Choir and Organ
CRADLE HYMN
Streaming and Downloads Available
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
David Chase Arr.
Tessa Lark Violin
REJOICE
Streaming and Downloads: https://essentialvoicesusa.hearnow.com/rejoice-honoring-the-jewish-spirit
“The Festival of Lights of the Hanukkah season was celebrated by a lushly beautiful new composition by Judith Clurman with David Chase on “Eight Days of Light”…”
– DC Metro Theater Arts
Essential Voices USA
Judith Clurman Conductor
James Cunningham piano
Daniel Miller cello, track III
Raman Ramakrishnan cello, track V
I Eight Days of Lights
Judith Clurman and David Chase
II Dayeinu
arr. Trude Rittmann
III Ki Hineih Kachomer
Judith Clurman, arr. Ryan Nowlin
IV Shlof Mayn Fegele
Mikhail Lermontov, arr. Ryan Nowlin
V Yeish Kochavim
Jonathan Tunick
VI Everlasting Light
David Shire
VII Songs of Peace: Hineih Ma Tov
Jeremiah Klarman, arr. David Chase
VIII Songs of Peace: Oseh Shalom
SEASON OF LIGHT
Essential Voices USA
Conductor Judith Clurman
Piano Lee Musiker
Producer David Frost
Sono Luminus SLE-7006/Release Date: November 18, 2016
Sample MP3 : Season of Light (Download)
- Season of Light (Hal Leonard)
Music & Lyrics Jacob Narverud - Grateful (Hal Leonard)
Music & Lyrics John Bucchino, arr. Ryan Nowlin - Carol of the Bells
Mykola Leontovich
English text & arr Peter J. Wilhousky - God Rest Ye Traditional (Hal Leonard)
English Carol, arr. David Chase - Ave Maria
Jean Mouton - The Chanukah Song (We Are Lights) (Hal Leonard)
Music Stephen Schwartz , Lyrics Steve Young, arr. Ryan Nowlin - A New Year Carol
Benjamin Britten/Lyrics Anon. - Auld Lang Syne (Hal Leonard)
Traditional Folk Song Lyrics Robert Burns , arr. Tedd Firth
“Season of Light illuminates the holiday season….Clurman takes great care to combine the more established works with modern programming. . . . Season of Light can be looked at as a companion album to Clurman’s CD Holiday Harmonies, an Essential Voices USA CD from last year with an equally beautiful collection of holiday choral pieces.”
-The Huffington Post
HOWARD SHORE: A PALACE UPON THE RUINS
Essential Voices USA Youth Workshop
Conductor Judith Clurman
Organ Ben Hutto
HOWE Records/Release Date: November 14, 2016
Peace
Music Howard Shore
Lyrics Eleanor Roosevelt
In 2007 conductor/organist Benjamin Hutto asked me to conduct his choruses (The St. Albans School for Boys/the National Cathedral Schools for Girls) at their fund-raising concert at the National Cathedral. I asked him if he would commission a new work for the concert by composer Howard Shore, based on words of Eleanor Roosevelt. He agreed and Michael Kellogg and Lucy Pugh provided the funding for this project. I conducted the world premiere of “Peace” on November 16, 2007 at the National Cathedral. A few years later, my Essential Voices USA Youth Workshop recorded “Peace” at the National Cathedral, with Benjamin Hutto on the organ. Other artists on the recording include Lang Lang, the Kronos Quartet, and Jennifer Cano Johnson.
HOLIDAY HARMONIES: SONGS OF CHRISTMAS
Essential Voices USA
Conductor Judith Clurman
Soloists Jamie Barton, Maureen McKay
Piano Tedd Firth
Harp Stacey Shames
Producer David Frost
Sono Luminus SLE-70003/Release Date: October 30, 2015
All first recordings:
- Angels We Have Heard on High (G. Schirmer)
Traditional French Carol, arr. David Chase - O Holy Night (G. Schirmer)
Adolphe Adam, arr. Ryan Nowlin - Silent Night (G. Schirmer)
Franz Xaver Gruber, arr. Tedd Firth and Judith Clurman - Love Came Down
Jennifer Higdon - The Virgin’s Slumber Song
Max Reger - Whispered and Revealed (G. Schirmer)
Nico Muhly - Merry Christmas Wishing Well (G. Schirmer)
Gene Gilroy, arr. Michael Gilbertson - We Wish You a Merry Christmas
adaptation Judith Clurman
“Judith Clurman has assembled a beautiful musical tapestry woven of superbly performed songs that will help create a memorable holiday season.”
– Broadway World“The album is a Christmas essential. . . .a short, sweet, magical, and merry collection of Christmas carols…a lush musical tapestry of traditional Chrisitmas favorites punctuated by fresh new holiday carols by contemporary composers Jennifer Higdon, Nico Muhly, and Gene Gilroy. Plus sparkling new choral arrangements a(arr. David Chase, Judith Clurman, Tedd Firth) of each of the Christmas classics adds a dash of new-music magic to the mix of traditional carols.”
– Second Inversion“Gorgeous Christmas Album. . . .”
– Stage Buddy“I’m thrilled to be a part of this holiday album. It’s a magical mix of traditional heart-warming Christmas songs and some interesting new composers – like your favorite hot cider with some tasty new spices!”
– Jamie Barton, Mezzo Soprano
CHERISHED MOMENTS: SONGS OF THE JEWISH SPIRIT
Essential Voices USA
Conductor Judith Clurman
Soloists Ron Raines, Bruce Ruben, Michael Slattery
Producer David Frost
Sono Luminus DSL-92182/Released October 28, 2014
Cherished Moments Recording Session (YouTube):
- Enosh
Louis Lewandowski
adapted by Larry Hochman - Oseh Shalom (Hal Leonard)
Debbie Friedman
arr. Sally Lamb McCune - Set Me As A Seal (G. Schirmer)
Nico Muhly - V’erastich Li (Transcontinental Music)
Ben Steinberg - M’Chalkeil Chayim (instrumental Interlude)
Solomon Braslavsky, arr. Bruce Ruben - Songs of Freedom: A Celebration of Chanukah (Schott Music)
Traditional Melodies
arr. Larry Hochman, Judith Clurman, Brian Stokes Mitchell
Orchestration (chamber) Larry Hochman - Tzadik Katamar (G. Schirmer)
Emanuel Kirschner, arr. Larry Hochman - Kadeish Urchatz (instrumental Interlude)
Babylonian Chant
instrumental interlude - Circle of Life (G. Schirmer)
Bruce Ruben, arr. Larry Hochman - Boruch Ate Zingt Der Tate (G. Schirmer)
Solomon Golub,carr. Zalmen Mlotek - Al Hanisim (G. Schirmer)
Paul Schoenfield - Meditation (G. Schirmer)
Larry Hochman - Shomeir Yisraeil (E. B. Marks Music)
Larry Hochman - Han’shama Lach (instrumental Interlude)
Traditional Melody, arr. Judith Clurman
“The mix of traditional songs in multiple moods and tones, handsomely sung with sweet yet profound emotions and gorgeously homogenous choral sound, offering a generous sample of the spirit Clurman is hoping to portray. . . . as a centerpiece, the Songs of Freedom cycle conjures the atmosphere of Chanukah celebrations with unique arrangements of tunes that Jewish children have sung for countless generations.”
– LA Opus“Cherished Moments: Songs of the Jewish Spirit is both enjoyable and educational — a remarkable contribution.”
– Jonathan Sarna, Historian – Brandeis University“This disc is a Hanukah gift that will keep on giving.”
– St Louise Dispatch“It is a remarkable CD with performance that are exceedingly well done and the music of worth. . . the performances of each selection have to be recognized as the platinum standard with which other performances will have to be judged.”
–The Jewish Post and Opinion“Stunning. . . .”
– Minnesota Public Radio
CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
Essential Voices USA
Conductor Judith Clurman
Soloists Kelli O’Hara, Ron Raines
Piano Tedd Firth, Larry Hochman
Producer David Frost
Sono Luminus DSL-9216/Release Date: October 2, 2012
Sample Audio – See online
- The Pledge of Allegiance (Hal Leonard)
Laurie Hochman, arr. Larry Hochman - The New Colossus (G. Schirmer)
David Ludwig - Reason to Be Thankful (Hal Leonard)
Larry Hochman/Sheldon Harnick - Hymn for America (Paulus Publications)
Stephen Paulus - Take Care of This House
Leonard Bernstein - Sing Out Mr. President (G. Schimer)
- Washington Round – Michael Gilbertson
- John Adams’ Prayer – Jake Heggie
- Opinion is Power (Jefferson) – Larry Hochman
- Round (Madison) – Milton Babbitt
- One Man With Courage Makes a Majority (Jackson) – Nico Muhly
- The Ballot is Stronger than the Bullet (Lincoln) – Jason Robert Brown
- A Theodore Roosevelt Round – Thomas Cabaniss
- I Believe in Democracy (Wilson) – Andrew Lippa
- Admonition of F.D.R. – Samuel Adler
- Truman – David Ludwig
- Eisenhower Canon – Paul Moravec
- Freedom’s Road (J.F.K.) – Robert Beaser
- Moral Courage (Reagan) – Jesse Weiner
- An Ode (Clinton) – Zachary Wadsworth
- A Simple Oath (G.W. Bush) – Nora-Kroll-Rosenbaum
- With Hope and Virtue (Obama) – Georgia Stitt
- It Gets Lonely in the White House
Irving Berlin - The Stars and Stripe Forever
John Philip Sousa - Two Paraphrases on American Anthems
Larry Hochman - A Seed of Grain: Theme from American President
Marc Shaiman, arr. Larry Hochman - A Quiet Moment (Lawdon Press)
Jennifer Higdon - American Dream (G. Schirmer)
Larry and Laurie Hochman - God Bless America
Irving Berlin
“A stunning journey of Americana, from new interpretations of familiar patriotic tunes to settings of lines from presidential speeches. . . .”
– The Huffington Post“Judith Clurman’s abundant creativity and profound patriotism are on display throughout the CD in its model of American musical diversity, which represents a call for action and a reason for hope during a time of political crisis and conflict.”
– Broadway World Classical“There are days when we need to hear the blend of voices lifted in praise of this country, and this is the music for those days to come when we need to make change together.”
– Q on Stage
THE NEW YORK CONCERT SINGERS
DIVINE GRANDEUR
The New York Concert Singers
Conductor Judith Clurman
Piano David Korevaar
Organ Keith S. Toth
Harp Susan Jolles
Tambura John Schlenck
New World Records 80504/Release Date: October, 1997
Producer Elizabeth Ostrow
- Eil Nora Alilah (Transcontinental)
Simon Sargon - Psalm 119
Robert Beaser - Thanksgiving Song (Theodore Presser)
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich - Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord (G. Schirmer)
Aaron Jay Kernis - Meditations of Li Po (Paulus Publications)
Stephen Paulus - Adonai Roi (G. Schirmer)
Judith Shatin - Psalm 150
Robert Beaser - A Simple Magnificat (Theodore Presser)
Ellen Taaffee Zwilich - Three Vedantic Hymns
John Schlenck
“Clurman’s singers offer brilliantly rich sound, fluent musicality and sophisticated wide-ranging expression. The term virtuoso would be no hyperbole.”
– The American Organist
THE MASK
The New York Concert Singers
St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Conductor Judith Clurman
Piano Margaret Kampmeier
Guitar Benjamin Verdery
New World Records 80547-2/Release Date: 1998
Producer Elizabeth Ostrow
- Hymns from the Old South (H.W. Gray)
Virgil Thomson - The Mask (Edward B. Marks Music)
William Bolcom - Four Songs to Poems of Thomas Campion (Southern Music)
Virgil Thomson - Romancero Gitano, Op. 152 (Bote & Bock)
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
“The New York Concert Singers possesses a controlled blend and balance and a clarity of tone that is quite beautiful at all dynamic levels. Intonation and diction are superb. Because of the fine selection of works and excellent singing and interpretations of the choir, this disc is worth a place in the library of serious choral conductors. . . .”
– Choral Journal
A SEASON’S PROMISE
The New York Concert Singers
St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Conductor Judith Clurman
Piano Margaret Kampmeier
Harp Susan Jolles
Oboe Melanie Feld
Viola Lois Martin
New World Records 80547-2/Release Date: Fall, 2001
Producer Elizabeth Ostrow
- Ave Maria (Boosey and Hawkes)
Wayne Oquin - When All Things Were In Quiet Silence (Boosey and Hawkes)
Ned Rorem - The Shepherds and the Kings (Shawnee Press)
Ruth Fox Hume and Paul Hume - Carol (“Neighbors on this frosty tide”) (Edward B. Marks)
Joan Morris and William Bolcom - Three Nativity Carols (Paulus Publications)
Stephen Paulus - Lo, The Messiah
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco - O My Deir Hert (Subito Music)
Virgil Thomson - O Magnum Mysterium (Peermusic Classical)
Morten Lauridsen - Wishes and Candles (Paulus Publications)
Stephen Paulus - Sing Christmas! (Rassel Editions)
Philip Lasser - Deep in the Night (Lawdon Press)
Jennifer Higdon - Behold the Star (Boosey and Hawkes)
Thomas Cabaniss - A Season’s Promise (Boosey and Hawkes)
David Conner - All Together (G. Schirmer)
Lance Horne
“The real star of this release is Judith Clurman, a dynamic and powerful conductor who “plays” the New York Concert Singers as if they were the most delicate of harpsichord at times, the most rich and stately trumpet at others, always drawing out an appropriate sound for the music at hand. The group’s diction is impeccable, its ensemble flawless, and its tone uniformly rounded and elegant, never soupy, sloppy, or brash. These performances are thorough and dedicated, taking each piece seriously, giving each work its due.”
– Classics Today“Your CD is superb and the performance of O Magnum Mysterium stunningly beautiful.”
– Morten Lauridsen, Composer
OTHER RECORDINGS
IN MOTION
Inura with Son Sonora Voices
Judith conducted the professional vocal ensemble with Dance Brazil for a recording of ensemble work by Tania Léon.
Albany Records B005VGX2UI/Release Date: October 1, 2011
This CD was nominated for Latin and American Grammy Awards.
THE BUCKET LIST SOUNDTRACK
The Clurman Singers
Piano Marc Shaiman
Conductor Judith Clurman
Varese Sarabande 030206687729/Release Date: January 15, 2008
- Theme from the American President
AMY BEACH: CABILDO/SONGS
The New York Concert Singers
Soprano Lauren Flanigan
Tenor Anthony Dean Griffey
Tenor Paul Groves
Cello Carter Brey
Piano Christopher O’Riley
Delos DE3170/Release Date: August 18, 1995
- Cabildo (opera)