20th / 21st Century Song Collections

The poetry of Emily Dickinson is especially appealing due to the wide range of topics, diversity of mood, and peculiar imagination of the poet. The writings are reflective, passionate, witty, sensuous,

All three songs from Prayers and Blessings are interconnected motivically, yet distinct in meter, tonality and message. Peace and reverence flow throughout. The version for bass-baritone was

A collection of nine accessible and delightful songs set for medium-low voice and piano. The dates of composition range from 1978 to 2003. Text authors featured in this collection include E.E. Cummings,

Letters from Edna presents eight letters sent by the great American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay to members of her family, friends, and business associates. The letters describe the people Millay

The title of the song cycle A World Turned Upside Down comes from an entry in "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, reflecting the sense she felt of her world being upturned when suddenly the

Originally conceived as a set, this collection of songs is based on the writings of Willa Cather and Carl Sandburg. The Sandberg texts are all excerpted from the poem Prairie and fill in the

Emily Dickinson has her tongue firmly in her cheek in these three poems. There is serious purpose under the lyrics, but the surface is pure wordplay. She juggles the terms “forgetting” and

Composed as a wedding gift for friends, Walker chose texts that are mostly 19th-century poems, each exploring love and perpetuity from its own unique lens. Perfect as a set, though each piece works well by

A short song cycle using an unaccompanied solo soprano to vocalize the fanciful and magical poems of E.E. Cummings with glissandi, whistling, ghostly whispered notes and long melismas drawing out the sounds

Prolific American composer Gwyneth Walker has composed over 350 commissioned works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, chorus and solo voice. Here she presents an arrangement and adaptation, with additional

American composer Juliana Hall has written more than 50 song cycles and works of vocal chamber music for prestigious commissions and artists such as Dawn Upshaw and David Malis. This song cycle is based on

"Mother to Son" is based on the powerful poem by Langston Hughes. The mother (voice) is a strong woman, one who has persevered and is still climbing, still surviving: "Well, son, I'll tell you: / Life for

A cycle of songs for mezzo-soprano and piano set on texts by Marilyn Kallet. Also included in Cipullo's collection Songs for Mezzo-Soprano. Titles include: Why I Wear My Hair Long; Saying

Emily Dickinson's nature–inspired text has sparked the creativity of many song writers. This newly engraved 2020 version of Perera song cycle is available for mezzo-soprano with piano or with

This song cycle is, in part, a mediation on what it means to be a mortal being who exists in time. The first and last movements each present a different take on looking back, and the cycle moves backward in

Renowned pianist, opera coach, conductor, teacher, and writer Kathleen Kelly commissioned composer Juliana Hall to set her poem "Tornado" as an art song, which was premiered by soprano Caitlin Lynch with

Termed a "dramatic song cycle," by the composer, the singer portrays five roles (4 male, 1 female) in this 25 minute monodrama. The libretto is sometimes spoken, more often sung, and distills what was a

Cipullo's vocal works continue to garner attention and performances worldwide. The works in this volume were composed over more than 15 years and are arranged into four groupings. Late

Art song composer Juliana Hall wrote this monodrama as a gift for admired English mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately. Godiva is based on the legendary Lady Godiva and sets a libretto by Caitlin Vincent.

Patti's unexpected and often humorous experiences riding the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) were chronicled online and eventually discovered by the composer. Inspired by Patti's pithy, sarcastic, and

This collection of 12 songs continues Cipullo's outstanding art songs for baritone and piano. An Earth to Walk Upon, a set of six songs, reflects on life in this physical world and compares our

Cipullo's vocal works are becoming increasingly popular. The 14 songs in this volume for baritone and piano were composed between 2002 and 2009. A set of six, America 1968, represent poet Robert

A solo art song for tenor and piano, setting a text of George Eliot. A perfect choice for weddings or celebrations of love. Also included in Cipullo's collection Songs for Tenor, Volume 1.