Set for accompanied satb voices with some divisi, and now for ttbb, this is a superb composition for better choirs. Sure on this shining night from nocturnes satb and piano. The intense writer was to enjoy little real success in his lifetime, but after death won accolades. When was sure on this shining night written by james agee. The article focuses on the life of poet james rufus agee and his poem sure on this shining night. Barber eventually met and formed a lasting friendship with the pulitzer prizewinning writer, but it was not until after he set agee s knoxville. James agee was born on november 27, 1909 and died on may 16, 1955. Based on a poem by james agee, morten lauridsens sure on this shining night has become one of the composers most recognized choral works, performed by ensembles the world over. Sure on this shining night i weep for wonder wand ring far alone of shadows on the stars. In late 1979 the filmmaker ross spears premiered his film agee. Sure on this shining night by james agee is by far my favorite poem. Sure on this shining night james agee by lesley garrett. Agees wondrous sure on this shining night is set much like a song from the american musical theater, a genre for which i have held a lifelong esteem.
A portrait of composer morten lauridsen is a featurelength documentary and first episode of the series, in search of the great song, shining night offers a glimpse of the life and music of one of the. The text for sure on this shining night was based on an untitled lyric from james agee s first published collection of poems, permit me voyage 1934. Here is his choral setting of the poem by james agee. Barber eventually met and formed a lasting friendship with the pulitzer prizewinning writer, but that was not until after he set agees knoxville, summer of 1915 in 1948. James agee, pulitzer prize winning author, was born in knoxville in 1909. Sure on this shining night poem by james agee rhymings. Search sure on this shining night sheet music at jw pepper.
Rilkes poignant voici le soir recalls the opening bell sounds and jazztinged chords of the first movement and serves as an epilogue, quietly concluding this cycle of night songs as. Thomas patrick h so, the poem is actually a twoparter. Sure on this shining night sure on this shining night of starmade shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground. It is a relatively early work, though as most of his admirers are aware, barber divulged a mastery of his craft even in his earliest compositions. An excellent way to introduce the work of samuel barber to developing mixed choirs, this accessible setting of the famous text by james agee is the perfect tribute to the 100th anniversary of the composers. Agee is perhaps best known for his book, let us now praise famous men, written in collaboration with photographer walker evans. Agee was born in knoxville, tennessee, at highland avenue and 15th street renamed james agee street in 1999 to hugh james agee and laura whitman tyler. Why are we singing two versions of sure on this shining night for our. Morten lauridsen sure on this shining night paroles. Here he produces a song of about two minutes in duration and uses a text by poet james agee the mood is dark, the. Sure on this shining night of star made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground. Sure on this shining night translates to surely on this shining night.
James agees most popular book is a death in the family. Sure on this shining night of starmade shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground. Of star made this p molto legato ness must watch for the me con pedale shadows round, side the ground. Artistinresidence thomas hampson performs sure on this shining night by samuel barber, text by james agee as part of the new york. A portrait of composer morten lauridsen is a featurelength documentary and first episode of the series, in search of the great song, shining night offers a glimpse of the life and music of one of the greatest living composers, morten. James agee, who is much better known as a screenwriter, film critic. Shop and buy sure on this shining night sheet music. Given as a gift to my friends, david and ann bauer. James agee, born november 27, 1909, knoxville, tennessee, u. Celebrating the life and music of national medal of arts recipient morten.
In 1938 agee wrote a brief prose piece, knoxville, summer of 1915 that samuel barber later 1948 set for soprano and orchestra. The melody fits seamlessly with the text in my opinion. In the eighth video of our ongoing series, lauridsen traces the roots of this beloved setting and sketches its themes at the piano. In this contemporary setting, the beauty of james agees iconic text is reflected in rich choral sonorities and an engaging accompaniment. Sure on this shining night sure on this shining night samuel barberarr. James agee voice piano to sara sure on this shining night samuel barber, op. In this third movement of his song cycle nocturnes, morten lauridsens flowing music captures all of the beauty and wonder of james agees poem. Sure on this shining night morten lauridsen blogger. In the year 1985 the poem was placed on second rank next to the poem the daisies, by samuel barber by the members of national association of teachers of singing in a survey. A sovereign prince of the english language, which was later nominated for an academy award for best documentary feature and was awarded a blue ribbon at the.
Sure on this shining night has also been set to music by composers rene clausen, z. Sure on this shining night by james agee on spotify. In 1958 he won the pulitzer prize in fiction for his uncompleted biographical novel a death in the family. Sure on this shining night from nocturnes excerpt composed by morten lauridsen poem by james agee performed by the singers on midwinter songs. Samuel barber and james agee were contemporaries, born in. Check out sure on this shining night james agee by nathan gunnkevin murphy on amazon music. This is in part due to the fact that my favorite composer, samuel barber, has a beautiful, breathtaking arrangement of this song. James agee has 43 books on goodreads with 59123 ratings. Celebrating morten lauridsen sure on this shining night usc. Sure on this shining night james agee flowing, temporubato j ca.
Sure on this shining night lauridsen pdf free download. Thomas hampson performs sure on this shining night youtube. The text for sure on this shining night was based on an untitled lyric from james agees first published collection of poems, permit me voyage 1934. James agee 19091955 had a difficult and comparatively brief life. Sure on this shining night morten lauridsen youtube. James agee would have been 45 years old at the time of death or 105 years old today. Sure on this shining night by james agee famous poems. Sure on this shining night samuel barber 19101981 text. The starmade shadows round speaks of the shadows that the stars cast upon the earth. One of the most beautiful choral works ever written is sure on this shining night. Of starmade shadows round, kindness must watch for me. The lyrics are based on a poem by james agee, which was published in a book bearing the title permit me voyage in 1934.
Barbers shining night setting is solidly in the core or standard. Sure on this shining night is the third of four songs that make up barbers opus collection 19371940. Of star made shadows round, kindness must watch for me. Based on a poem by james agee, morten lauridsens sure on this shining night has become one of the composers most recognized choral works, performed.
However, there are aspects of the actual poem, aside from the song that accompanies it. Sure on this shining night james agee by nathan gunn. Samuel barber sure on this shining night sheet music in. Celebrating morten lauridsen sure on this shining night. In 1938, barber had set another agee text, sure on this shining night, a brief untitled poetic fragment from permit me voyage. Books by james agee author of a death in the family. Sure on this shining night of starmade shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side. Barber eventually met and formed a lasting friendship with the pulitzer prizewinning writer, but it was not until after he set agees knoxville. Permit me voyage poetry, 1934 let us now praise famous men nonfiction, 1941 the morning watch novella, 1951 a death in the family novel, 1957 collected poems of james agee, 1969 collected short prose of. Check out sure on this shining night james agee by lesley garrettpaul daniellondon session orchestra on amazon music.
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