The God of Material Things

Orchestra and Wind Ensemble

Paul Klee : Painted Songs

A collection of choral and vocal music by Jonathan Posthuma.

Choral and Vocal Music

A string quartet inspired by Glacier National Park

I. Rising Ridges
II. Vanishing Glaciers
III. Rushing Falls

Premiered by Mill City String Quartet, April 13, 2022 at Schubert Club Courtroom Concert

Going-to-the-Sun (String Quartet No. 1)

No. 51.1 "Good Place for Fish" (Guter Fischplatz, 1922)from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

Heartland Marimba

Recorded at Studio Z, Saint Paul
June 24, 2022

No. 51.1 "Good Place for Fish" (Guter Fischplatz, 1922)from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

No. 51.2 "Sunken Island" (Versunkene Insel, 1923)from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

Heartland Marimba

Recorded at Studio Z, Saint Paul
June 24, 2022

No. 51.2 "Sunken Island" (Versunkene Insel, 1923)from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

traditional German Christmas carol by David Gregor Corner (1585-1648) in the Groß-Catolisch Gesangbuch, 1631 as excerpted by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) but with a new melody by Elliot Miles McKinley and arranged by Jonathan Posthuma.

Es flog ein Täublein weiße

Anonymous Old Frisian text
​Text in Old Frisian and English
Francis A. Wood, translator

November 10, 2023
RenegadeEnsemble, Saint Paul, MN

An Old Frisian Poem

Excerpts from "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High," a collection of hymn settings intended for liturgical use.

MaryLou Wielenga, piano

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Written in 2012 and dedicated to my sister Nicole and her husband Zach Staudt and premiered on their wedding, this setting uses a beautiful melody from Walker’s Southern Harmony and text by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 23. When the melody appears in the lowest bass register in the final verse, it is an assurance of God’s promises as a faithful husband to his bride. The duet that follows weaves together the melody in canon like hands intertwining. In my arrangement for wind ensemble of this hymn, those parts were assigned to clarinet and tuba, which my sister and brother-in-law played at Dordt where they met.

1. My Shepherd will supply my need:
The Lord God is his name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed,
beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
when I forsake his ways,
and leads me for his mercy’s sake
in paths of truth and grace.

3. The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
O may your house be my abode
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come—
no more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (RESIGNATION)

Excerpts from "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High," a collection of hymn settings intended for liturgical use.

Lois Vander Zee, piano

My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Written in 2013 or 2014 for Bethel CRC in Waupun, WI, this hymn has a structure reminiscent of Debussy’s “The Sunken Cathedral” in which each passing verse grows more harmonious and vibrant like it is rising up out of the water. The full range of the keyboard is used to evoke chiming bells, which take on a poignancy after the final verse’s text “when life’s swift race is run, death’s cold work almost done” is truncated and the bells chime with an unresolved sense of anticipation.

1. My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away.
O let me from this day be wholly thine!

2. May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire.
As thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be
a living fire!

3. When life’s dark maze I tread
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide.
Bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.

4. When life’s swift race is run,
death’s cold work almost done
…
O bear me safe above,
Redeemed and free!

My Faith Looks Up to Thee (OLIVET)

for Samuel Grace and MPLS (imPulse)

February 17, 2024, Minneapolis, MN

Say Cheese!

No. 159 "Harmony Blue=Orange" (Harmonie Blau=Orange, 1923) from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

Any number of players journey through a series of interludes and episodes, getting lost in the painting through improvisation.

Premiered on November 7, 2024 at the Vanguard New Music Series at Zion Community Commons in Saint Paul,

Zack Kline, violin
Aaron Kerr, cello
Jonathan Posthuma, piano
Adam Rappel, marimba
Andrew Myers, vibraphone


Harmony Blue=Orange (Harmonie Blau=Orange, 1923) - No. 159 from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

No. 46 "Underwater Garden" (Unterwassergarten, 1939) from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

A bright orange fish swims peacefully through an underwater landscape of blue, green, purple and gray.

Premiered on April 5, 2024 at the Vanguard New Music Series at Zion Community Commons, Saint Paul.

Gavin Carney, trombone
Samantha Hogan, trombone
Justin Schoenherr, trombone
Jason Wiley, trombone

Underwater Garden (Unterwassergarten, 1939) - No. 46 from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

A collection of works for piano and toy piano by 20th and 21st century composers including world premieres by Minnesotan composers.

Julia Perry - Prelude for Piano

Nathan Froebe - Nocturnes - No. 1 rumination, No. 2 gossamer, No. 5 obsidian

IV. Morning News

III. Sunny and 70 Degrees

II. Interrupted Message

I. A Prayer

Recorded at Zion Community Commons, August 21, 2025

Laura Harada, violin
Aaron Kerr, cello
Rebecca Hass, piano

About “Ad Parnassum” (Ad Parnassum, 1932)
The dark outline of a pyramid-shaped mountain glows beneath a warm orange sun while an open archway invites the viewer to take the first step on their journey towards enlightenment. Inspired by the pyramids and temples of Egypt, Paul Klee’s pointillistic masterpiece from 1932 is built from contrasting blocks of color built up brick by brick in a style that he called “divisionism.” In the same way, the music takes the form of a rondeau as repeated musical progressions are developed through textural variations. In Greek mythology, Mount Parnassus is associated with Orpheus and the home of the nine muses and “a step towards Parnassus” (gradus ad Parnassum) came to define the gradual process of pursuing mastery in scholarship or the arts through diligent, repeated practice. The climb towards any summit begins with a single step and although that journey can be defined as a series of steps towards a goal, there is no guarantee that the path will be straightforward. The path may be winding, or may double back on itself, or seem to disappear altogether – it is built from small victories, epiphanies, frustrations and defeats – and by the end you have come full circle, stepping through the door towards Parnassus once again, both an exit and an entrance.

Ad Parnassum (1932) - No. 144.1 from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

Bandcamp

Voices: Five Songs of Cavafy - II. Long Ago

Voices: Five Songs of Cavafy - V. Candles

Seasons: Five Poems of Louis Jenkins - II. August Evening

Voices: Five Songs of Cavafy - I. Monotony

Seasons: Five Poems of Louis Jenkins - I. July

Voices: Five Songs of Cavafy - III. Gray

Seasons: Five Poems of Louis Jenkins - III. Confusing Fall Warblers

The God of Material Things Songbook - Morning News

The God of Material Things Songbook - Mother's Songs

The God of Material Things Songbook - Interrupted Message

Rhapsodecaphrenia

Jonathan Posthuma, 2013

Reading in December 2013 by UW - Madison Wind Ensemble, Scott Teeple, director.

Rhapsodecaphrenia

Inspired by "Twittering Machine," a painting by Paul Klee. Part of an ongoing set of pieces based on paintings by the same artist.

Recorded in Madison, WI in a public reading by members of NUNC.

Twittering Machine (Die Zwitchser-Maschine, 1922) - No. 1 from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

Prelude 'Sky Dance' (with narration)

"Fili di Perle" (Strings of Pearls) was composed for the Karol Szymanowski Composition Competition and was awarded 3rd Prize. The piece was premiered by the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland; under the direction of Maciej Tomasiewicz.

Fili di Perle (Strings of Pearls)

Recorded by Kurt Hattenberger, April 23, 2021 Livestream

Fugue in Red (Fuge in Rot, 1921) - No. 4b from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded at Dordt College, March 2012 as part of Jonathan Posthuma's Senior Recital.

Emil Talen, tuba
Jonathan Posthuma, vibraphone/marimba

Red Balloon (Roter Balloon, 1922) - No. 6a from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded at Dordt College, March 2012 as part of Jonathan Posthuma's Senior Recital.

Kristen Raygor, tenor saxophone; 
Jonathan Posthuma, vibraphone


Separation in the Evening (Scheidung Abend, 1929) - No. 7a from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded at Dordt College, March 2012 as part of Jonathan Posthuma's Senior Recital.


Kristen Raygor, tenor saxophone; 
Jonathan Posthuma, vibraphone

Fire in the Evening (Feur am Abend, 1929) - No. 8a from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Created for VocalEssence ReMix 2017

performed as part of the 2017 ACDA National Festival ReMix Workshop in Minneapolis, MN and recording in March 2017

ReMix 2017

As the Deer

The scherzo from  Chamber Symphony "Beams of Heaven" incorporates three American hymn tunes: "Beams of Heaven," "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood," and "Jesus Paid It All." The scherzo pays homage to Mahler and Ives in many ways, and when finished will be the central movements of the work. This movement was premiered in Curitiba, Brazil as part of the IV BIENAL MÚSICA HOJA with the Orquestra Filarmônica da Universidade Federal do Paraná , led by Maestro Prof. Dr. Antônio Carlos Borges-Cunha.

"Scherzo" from Chamber Symphony - Beams of Heaven

Recorded by First Readings Project, August 29, 2019
J. David Moore, conductor; Clara Osowski, alto

For more information, visit https://www.jonathanposthuma.com/store/p92/Two_Dickinson_Poems.html

Two Dickinson Poems

In the Anishinaabe (or Ojibwe) tradition, women have a sacred responsibility to respect, honor, and express gratitude to the water. Through​ ceremonies, prayer, and song, they bring healing and balance to their communities. NibiWalk, an organization based in Minnesota, continues these traditions. Dorene Day, one of the Water Walkers, wrote the Nibi (Water) Song at the request of her grandson, who also wanted to sing to the water. The words are ones that she believes should be sung to the water every day and freely shared: "Water, we love you. We thank you. We respect you." This choral arrangement uses her melody and the composer hopes that through its performance, more people will be informed of the powerful work of these women who bring physical and spiritual healing to our waters. For more information about NibiWalk, their mission, music, and upcoming projects, visit www.nibiwalk.org

Green Lake Festival of Music - Choral Institute

Nibi (Water) Song

In recent years, the seed-saving and heirloom vegetable movement has put thousands of people back in touch with the diverse bounty and beauty of fresh produce. And perhaps the tomato – in all of its myriad colors, shapes, forms, flavors, and textures – is the ultimate show-stopper of the gardening world.  Heirloom Hallelujah! captures the abundance of heirloom tomatoes in a joyful musical mosaic of over 160 heirloom tomato varieties in about 4 minutes of music. Behind these unique (and sometimes hilarious sounding!) names is a tapestry of cultures, traditions, and personal stories that is still growing and evolving. The text itself was assembled from several sources, with thanks to Gary Ibsen, founder of the Carmel TomatoFest and heirloom enthusiast, whose website along with The Heirloom Tomato, a book by Amy Goldman, was consulted to choose which synonym and spelling of each variety was used for the lyrics. By celebrating the wholesome diversity of the tomato in song, perhaps we can begin to encourage and grow gardens of delight in our own lives, prompting more moments where our response should be nothing but “Hallelujah!”
​
Heirloom Hallelujah! was composed for VocalEssence Remix 2016 and premiered by mpls (ImPulse), a choir based in Minneapolis.

Score and Lyrics: https://www.jonathanposthuma.com/store/p64/Heirloom_Hallelujah%21.html

Heirloom Hallelujah!

World Premiere by the American Modern Orchestra at the Mostly Modern Festival, June 3, 2018. Martim Sousa Tavares, conductor

A "ricercar" is a Baroque form, often likened to a "fugal fantasia" and is usually improvised as an introduction to a larger work. As the first movement of "Chamber Symphony," broad harmonic and thematic concepts are presented, which will be developed in subsequent movements.

"Ricercar" from Chamber Symphony - Beams of Heaven

World Premiere by the American Modern Orchestra at the Mostly Modern Festival, June 3, 2018.

Martim Sousa Tavares, conductor

The second of four "tone poems" in the full work, "The Flood - clouds may hide tomorrow's sun" creates a watery landscape filled with rising tension and swirling currents of sound. The climax is a cloudburst, when the heavens open, allowing the listener to finally let go and "join the storm."

"II. The Flood - clouds may hide tomorrow's sun" from Chamber Symphony - Beams of Heaven

Premiered by American Modern Ensemble
June 14, 2018, Mostly Modern Festival, Saratoga Springs, NY

"Carnival in the Mountains" (Karneval im Gebirge, 1924)
Dimly lit but multi-colored figures, some appearing to be vendors, performers, animals, and costumed guests, blend together in a scene both jovial and grotesque beneath the faint blue mountains in the distance, which form a peaceful contrast to the frenzied activity of the foreground.

Carnival in the Mountains (Karvneval im Gebirge, 1924) - No. 17 from Paul Klee : Painted Songs

A setting of e. e. cummings' poem for chorus.

Premiered by the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco, December 8 and 15, 2018.

love is a place

A setting of three related poems by William Carlos Williams for chorus (SATB)

Live recording of premiere with Kantorei, Axel Theimer, director -- Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Hopkins, MN -- May 4, 2019

From A Window

Dordt Alumni Choir, Netherlands Tour, May 27, 2019
Recorded in Nicolaaskerk, Ellecom

Klokje Klingt, Vogel Zingt

Recorded by First Readings Project, August 29, 2019
J. David Moore, conductor

Saints, At Your Heav'nly Father's Word

Recorded live on October 17, 2019 at Studio Z, Saint Paul, MN

Eri Isomura, marimba
Jonathan Posthuma, composer

Small Portrait with Black Quadrangles (1921) - No. 87 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded live on October 17, 2019 at Studio Z, Saint Paul, MN

Jonathan Posthuma, composer / piano

Illuminated Leaf (Belichtetes Blatt, 1929) - No. 9 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded live on October 17, 2019 at Studio Z, Saint Paul, MN

Eri Isomura, marimba
Devan Moran, violin
Amelia Smith, clarinet
Jonathan Posthuma, composer / piano

Colorful Flower Beds (Buntes Beet) - No. 161 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded live on October 17, 2019 at Studio Z, Saint Paul, MN

Devan Moran, violin

Ask Yourself (Frägt Sich, 1934) - No. 130 , Part I from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

The Blooming Garden (Der blühende Garten, 1920) - No. 158 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

No. 165 "Ancient Sound" (Alter Klang, 1925) from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Any number of players journey through the score towards goals of their choose. The score is a color map of intensities.

Recorded live at Schmidt Artist Lofts, Saint Paul on December 20, 2019

Ancient Sound (Alter Klang, 1925) - No. 165 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Recorded at Cleveland State University, January 2020

NO EXIT New Music Ensemble
https://noexitnewmusic.com/

I. Carnival in the Mountains
II. She Bellows, We Play
III. Destroyed Place
IV. High Spirits
V. Dream City

No Exit/Zeitgeist January 2020

High Spirits (Übermut, 1939)- No. 2 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

She Bellows, We Play (Sie brült, wir spielen, 1928) - No. 19 from Paul Klee: Painted Songs

Collection of recorded compositions of Jonathan Posthuma, composer.

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