The Wall Breaks Asunder
TTBB, piano, percussion ensemble

The Wall Breaks Asunder was composed for the Miami University Men's Chorus under the direction of Dr. Jeremy Jones.  It was premiered as part of their performance at the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses National Seminar held at the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana on March 18, 2016. 

It is a setting of a text by famed Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) and evokes images of crumbling walls, cascading light, and the triumphant victory over death.

The poem can be read here: https://www.thetagoreproject.org/compositions/index/4057

Photo credit: Publicdomainpictures.net http://publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=18568&picture=ruins-and-the-setting-sun



 



April 30, 2016  Hall Auditorium

The Wall Breaks Asunder by Anthony J. Maglione

Night, Veiled Night (mixed chorus version)
SSAATTBB, cello

Originally composed for double men's chorus TTBB/TTBB and cello. (Buy the men's chorus version here: https://www.amazon.com/Veiled-Light-Miami-University-Mens/dp/B01IBY3MP6)

About the piece and performers: 

The New England Conservatory Chamber Singers
Andrew Haig, baritone
Marza Merophi Wilks, cello
Erica J. Washburn, conductor

In the summer of 2007, while searching for the public domain texts, I stumbled upon the poetry of the Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). I was immediately enamored with the stunning imagery and deeply spiritual texts within his collection entitled "Fruit Gatherings"(1916) in which this poem falls twentieth. It was no surprise to me to discover that among his many accomplishments, he was the first non-european to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1913) and among his creative output were plays, novels, stories, and a great many songs. So, when I was approached with a commission for a TTBB/TTBB work for the Miami University Men's Glee Club, this poem sprang to mind and was given it's premiere at the 2012 Intercollegiate Men's Choruses National Conference. At the request of Erica Washburn from New England Conservatory, "Night, Veiled Night" was revoiced for SSAATTBB choir and cello. 

I have a great affinity for Indian classical music and I felt compelled to use certain compositional devices. However, Night, Veiled Night is not an attempt to recreate Indian music, but a merging of this lovely Indian text, my distinctly "Western" compositional style, and eastern influences. The work begins with a drone over which the cellist serves as a means to bind these styles through notated "improvisations" on an Indian raga which were inspired by the great Indian classical vocalist Parveen Sultana. The entire work is intended to feel almost improvisational with it's sudden bursts of color and long, moving lines.

The text is by Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore and can be found here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/tagore/frutgath.htm


Night, Veiled Night (SATB version)by Anthony J. Maglione

O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (2006)
SATB, org. 
GIA Publications G-7343

This anthem has been performed by choirs all over the country.   It has appeared at conventions, workshops and on the internationally syndicated TV program "The Hour of Power".

O Master Let Me Walk With Thee by Anthony J. Maglione

The One and the Many (2008)
SATB div., piano, viola
GIA Publications G-7407
Viola part is G-7407INST

I've never posted a recording of this work.   This is a setting of poetry by Rabindranath Tagore.  It was commissioned by the University of Cincinnati's Men's and Women's Choruses.

Here you'll hear it performed by the New England Conservatory Concert Choir, Erica Washburn, conductor.

For more information go to www.anthonymaglione.com


The One and the Many by Anthony J. Maglione

She 
SSAATTBB unaccompanied
GIA Publications G-7355

WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE
East Carolina University Chamber Singers
Daniel J. Bara, conductor

She (PREMIERE RECORDING) by Anthony J. Maglione

Masks (unfinished) Movement 1 by Anthony Maglione (2008)
for String Quartet

Masks is a musical representation of how we often hide from the world by masking our true selves.  Movement 1 is a depiction of anger masking sorrow.   I'm especially proud of the viola solo at about 3:10.   

I hope to finish this work and have it performed soon.   If you know a string quartet that would be interested, please let me know.
 

Masks by Anthony J. Maglione

I Hide Myself 
soprano, piano

Text by Emily Dickinson
Music by Anthony Maglione


This is from an unfinished solo voice set for soprano and piano.   I'm currently reconstructing the score as it was lost in a computer crash a few years ago.   Please contact me if you'd like to perform this or are interested in inspiring me to finish the set.  

I Hide Myself by Anthony J. Maglione

A few movements from my Advent cantata composed in 2006 for St. James United Methodist Church, Greenville, NC.

Love came down at Christmas from "Hope: A Cantata for Advent" by Anthony J. Maglione

A few movements from my Advent cantata composed in 2006 for St. James United Methodist Church.

My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord from "Hope: A Cantata for Advent"  by Anthony J. Maglione

The Wedding of Solomon: IV. The Celebration by Anthony Maglione

Translation(Song of Songs 5: 1, KJV): 
Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

World Premiere Performance
July 6, 2018
American Guild of Organists National Convention
Kansas City, MO

William Jewell College Cardinalis, Anthony Maglione, director
KC VITAs, Jackson Thomas, director
Chamber Orchestra
Joshua Lawlor, baritone
Alice Anne Light, mezzo-soprano
Ron Witzke, baritone

Program Note:

Having started research for this project shortly after my own wedding in 2016, I kept coming back to the thoughts and emotions fresh in my mind: the anticipation of the sacred ceremony, the excitement of new beginnings, and the joy of a celebration with friends and family. I fell in love with the sensual, yet spiritual poetry of Song of Songs, so I weaved together texts from this scripture to create a narrative depicting a wedding in four scenes. 

Beginning with the bride’s preparation for the event, I explore both her eagerness for her new life and her anxiety surrounding her feeling of self worth. Scene Two features Shofar calls which signal the arrival of Solomon and his enormous entourage as they enter with a royal flourish. The third scene finds the groom suspended in time while his eyes fall upon his bride. He is immediately enamored with her beauty and attempts to articulate his inner feelings amidst several wedding-day interruptions. The final scene depicts the exuberant, joyous celebration of all that gathered to witness this beautiful union.

The Wedding of Solomon is not historical, but a fanciful reflection on traditions, emotions and love. This premiere performance of The Wedding Of Solomon was funded in part by the William Jewell College Spencer Family Sabbatical Fellowship.

The Wedding of Solomon

The Wedding of Solomon: IV. The Celebration by Anthony Maglione

About the work: 
"Set Me As A Seal Upon Thine Heart"  was commissioned for the wedding of conductors Daniel Bara and Deanna Joseph on June 30, 2012.  It is a setting of portions of Song of Songs 8: 6-7.  The solo quartet, which is set in English, is answered by the SATB choir on the identical text set in Hebrew. 

It has been slated for publication and should be available within the next few months.  
GIA Publicatsions G-8583.

About the performance:

William Jewell College Concert Choir
Anthony Maglione, conductor

Soloists
Haley Hibbeler, flute
Renee Taylor, soprano
Katie Baker, alto
Jeff Howe, tenor
David Sanchez, bass

Recorded at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, Belton, MO.
Jason Scheulfer, recording technician

Set Me As A Seal Upon Thine Heart by Anthony J. Maglione

Conductor/Composer Anthony J. Maglione is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, East Carolina University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the Director of Choral Studies at William Jewell College where, under his direction, the Concert Choir was Runner Up (2nd Place) for the American Prize in Choral Performance, College/University Division. In addition to his responsibilities at William Jewell College, he serves as Artist-in-Residence and Choir Master at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Conductor Emeritus of the Freelance Ensemble Artists of NJ Symphony Orchestra. From 2012 to 2018 he served as Director of the Greater Kansas City AGO Schola Cantorum.


An active composer, Anthony’s choral works are growing in popularity and are published on GIA’s “Evoking Sound” choral series. In the last several years his music has appeared at state and national-level conventions, on TV, in video games, and has been recorded on Gothic Records, Albany Records, and Centaur Records. In 2014 and 2015, Anthony was honored as a Semi-Finalist and Finalist (respectively) for the American Prize in Composition, Professional Choral Division and was recently awarded the 2016-2017 William Jewell College Spencer Family Sabbatical, a year-long fully funded sabbatical in order to compose two new large-scale works for choir, soloists and chamber orchestra. Anthony's cantata "The Wedding of Solomon" premiered at the 2018 American Guild of Organists National Convention. He is currently slated for several more premieres throughout the United States during the remainder of 2019 and 2020.



As a tenor, Anthony has appeared with Kansas City Baroque Consortium, Sunflower Baroque, Spire Chamber Ensemble. He currently performs with Kantorei KC and performs and records with The Same Stream Choir. 


Anthony has made numerous guest conducting/clinician appearances and has prepared ensembles for such esteemed conductors as James Conlon, James Jordan, David Newman, Donald Neuen, and Alex Treger. Ensembles under his leadership have performed nationally and internationally at renowned concert venues including Disney Hall in Los Angeles and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Anthony J Maglione

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