Choral Works |
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The Chase (1972)
For chorus SSATB and piano / Text: J.L. Zaimont (6:00)
Publisher: Galaxy Music Corporation (E.C. Schirmer)
* Winner of Paul Revere Prize (Music Publishers Assn.) 1987
*Commissioned by the Great Neck Choral Society
First Performance: May 1972 Others: Eastman School of Music; Univ. of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
For chorus SSATB and piano / Text: J.L. Zaimont (6:00)
Publisher: Galaxy Music Corporation (E.C. Schirmer)
* Winner of Paul Revere Prize (Music Publishers Assn.) 1987
*Commissioned by the Great Neck Choral Society
First Performance: May 1972 Others: Eastman School of Music; Univ. of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Friends (see Life Cycle) (1994)
For chorus SSAA and piano / Text: Doris Kosloff (4:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by American Choral Directors Association and Minnesota Music Educators Association for the Minnesota All-State Women's Chorus
For chorus SSAA and piano / Text: Doris Kosloff (4:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by American Choral Directors Association and Minnesota Music Educators Association for the Minnesota All-State Women's Chorus
Housewife (see Life Cycle) (2009)
For two S soli, chorus SSAA and piano / Text: Claudia Stanek (5:20 )
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by Howard Hanson Fund, Eastman School of Music
First performance: Eastman Women’s Chorus, March 2009.
For two S soli, chorus SSAA and piano / Text: Claudia Stanek (5:20 )
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by Howard Hanson Fund, Eastman School of Music
First performance: Eastman Women’s Chorus, March 2009.
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Lamentation (1982)
Oratorio for double chorus, mezzo and baritone soli, piano, percussion / Text: Bible (25:00) Publisher: Subito Music Corp. *Commissioned through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.by the Gregg Smith Singers, Philadelphia Singers, Dale Warland Singers and I Cantori (Los Angeles). First Performance: Gregg Smith Singers and Florilegium Chamber Choir, May 1985 |
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"The most moving piece was an aria from 'Lamentation,' a large-scale oratorio dating from 1982. The aria's biblical text ['Ashes are the bread I eat'], which deals with the Jews' exile into Babylonia, was set in a straight forward, atmospheric, syllabic manner. Its stark piano accompaniment and long-breathed, darkly eloquent melodic line (adapted from fragments by the Renaissance madrigalist Carlo Gesualdo) proved extremely apposite." - THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION
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Life Cycle (1994-2001; 2009 and continuing)
An ongoing project for women’s voices to poems by women "Friends" (Text: Doris Kosloff) - SSAA and piano [1994] "Kneeling in the Big City [Demeter, Persephone]" (Text: Elizabeth Macklin) S and A soli, SSAA and piano [2001] *Commissioned by New York Treble Singers, Virginia Davidson, director "The Habit of Anger" (Text: Elizabeth Macklin) SSAA and piano [2001] *Commissioned by New York Treble Singers, Virginia Davidson, director "They Were Women Then" (Text: Alice Walker) SSAA, pno., maracas [1997] *Commissioned by Fairfield University "Housewife" (Text: Claudia Stanek) two S soli, SSAA and piano [2009] Publisher: Subito Music Corp. Premieres of various versions across time and across US |
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"The featured work was Zaimont’s ambitious work-in-progress.... The contrasting parts of this music give it dimension and depth.... Ms. Zaimont handled her musical materials with ease and range." - NEW MUSIC CONNOISSEUR
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'Many depictions of the Nativity show a scene with an Angel hovering above. I wondered about that Angel and then imagined that a child, who’d naturally be curious about the wondrous commotion in the manger, might politely ask permission of this ‘sentry’ Angel to come closer and stand beside the Babe. From that imagining came the idea for a new Christmas carol.” - Judith L. Zaimont
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Excerpt from verse 1.:
Through His light the Prince of Goodness graces all the Earth this day... Angel, may I stand before Him, Angel, will you lead the way? - Lead me to the Holiest Child. |
MEDITATIONS at the Time of the New Year (1997)
For SSATB choir, SA choral soli, glockenspiel and tubular bells I: Dawn II: Hope Text: written and compiled by the composer from portions of "Gates of Awe", the Reform prayer book for Jewish High Holy Days (11:30) Publisher: Subito Music Corp. *Commissioned by Skidmore College First performance: Skidmore College Vocal Ensemble, David Janower, director, April 1997 Others: Florilegium Chamber Choir, Concert Choir of Univ. of Wisconsin - River Falls, Choral Society of Southern California. |
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"Dawn paints a quietly ecstatic picture of sunrise. The second movement, Hope, begins with a bell-type tune and ends in a quiet blessing. The percussion, delicately used, accents the choral music.” - ClassicalNet
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Miracle of Light - A Festival Piece (1995)
For SATB choir, flute and harp (4:30)
*Commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
First performance: December 1995, Ted Mann Hall (MN)
For SATB choir, flute and harp (4:30)
*Commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
First performance: December 1995, Ted Mann Hall (MN)
Moses Supposes (1975)
Three-part canon for treble voices and percussion (flexible timing)
Text: Tongue Twister
Publisher: Tetra Music Corporation [Alexander Broude]
Three-part canon for treble voices and percussion (flexible timing)
Text: Tongue Twister
Publisher: Tetra Music Corporation [Alexander Broude]
PARABLE: A Tale of Abram and Isaac (1986)
For soprano, tenor and baritone soli, chorus SSATTB, organ Text: Brome Mystery Play, Wilfred Owen (Also a version for strings and harpsichord) (16:20) Publisher: Hildegard Publishing Company Large excerpt also in Contemporary Anthology of Music by Women (University of Indiana Press, 1997). *Commissioned by Florilegium Chamber Choir First Performance: Merkin Hall, NYC, June 1986 Others: International Jewish Music Conference; Society of Composers, International; Louisiana State University; Madison Festival Choir (WI); New York Virtuoso Singers; Musica Sacra |
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“Beautiful and affecting …. The music illuminates the text, and the juxtaposition of various texts deepen the meaning of the central image.” - ClassicalNet
"Zaimont's 'Parable' told the story of Abraham and Isaac with a steamrolling rush of emotion. Miss Zaimont uses anything handy to propel the action -- dramatic unisons, sound effects, rushing scale passages and, at the end, a spoken kaddish to mourn Isaac's death. One admired the unflagging energy in her music."
- The NEW YORK TIMES "A powerful meditation on the cycles of human destruction that yet raises the hope that the cycles may someday be suspended."
- FANFARE “Zaimont’s musical setting is entirely appropriate -- the unfolding is urgent and terrifying.” - FANFARE
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"Judith Lang Zaimont's latest choral work is not only one of the finest works she has written, but it is also one of the strongest choral works I've heard for some time. It has all the elements one could wish for -- profound text, exciting and also beautiful music, and virtuoso instrumental and vocal writing that heightens the inherent drama wonderfully. A great work!" - Gregg Smith, Conductor, Gregg Smith Singers
“A compelling piece, urgently dramatic; …distinctive and persuasive.” - MusicWeb International
"Zaimont has fashioned a powerfully theatrical work, heard here in the version for voices and organ. Solo voices are combined with the ensemble in varying textures, evoking vivid images which complement the strongly emotional story." - The NATS Journal
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REMEMBRANCE (2007)
For large chorus SSAATTBB, T, Mz asnd S soli, English horn, cello, organ and percussion 4 movements - Text: Shakespeare, Suckling, C. Rossetti, Gates of Repentance (25:00 ) Publisher: Subito Music Corportaion *Commissioned by the Portland Symphonic Choir First Performances: October 2007 |
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"Zaimont's "Remembrance" was the central work, each of four movements intending to answer the question, "How are the ways in which we remember?" ... Zaimont speaks with a direct and powerful voice here, with imaginative choral effects accompanied by organ, oboe and English horn, cell) and percussion (Gordon Rencher). The choir gave a rousing performance,... and tenor and soprano soloists brought an exciting sound to their highflying solos." - David Stabler in The Oregonian, Oct. 29, 2007
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SACRED SERVICE for the Sabbath Evening (1976)
(See also: Orchestral Music) Text: The Union Prayerbook For baritone (or alto) solo, chorus SSATB, piano (72:00) Publisher: Galaxy Music Corporation (E.C. Schirmer) *Commissioned by the Great Neck Choral Society to honor the US Bicentennial |
Serenade: To Music (1981)
For chorus SSATTB / Text: W.H. Auden (8:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by The Western Wind
First Performance: Florilegium Chamber Choir, June 1984
Others: Great Neck Choral Society; Elmer Iseler Singers (Canada); American Music Theater Group
For chorus SSATTB / Text: W.H. Auden (8:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by The Western Wind
First Performance: Florilegium Chamber Choir, June 1984
Others: Great Neck Choral Society; Elmer Iseler Singers (Canada); American Music Theater Group
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"A wonderful piece." - The Springfield (MA) MORNING UNION
"A shimmering filigree setting of W.H. Auden's 'The Composer,' with interpolated phrases by Zaimont." - NATS Journal
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"A serious, though nimble setting of an Auden text."
- The HARTFORD COURANT "Very refreshing music. The music effectively enhances the words' lyricism and drama." - AMERICAN MUSIC
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The Spirit of the Lord (1992)
For double chorus SATB, choral soli, brass quintet and organ [or organ solo accompaniment] (9:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention
First Performance: Atlanta, Georgia, June 1992
For double chorus SATB, choral soli, brass quintet and organ [or organ solo accompaniment] (9:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the Biennial National Convention
First Performance: Atlanta, Georgia, June 1992
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"The Spirit of the Lord was the one work truly apart -- in complexity, insight, texture, and performance." - American Organist
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The Spirit Moves In Me ( 2008)
For chamber choir ( SATB, choral soli, piano, perc., string quartet) (c. 12:00) 1 - How – The Ways of Nature 2 - When – It is a beauteous evening, calm and free (Wordsworth) 3 – To What Purpose – The Ways of God All texts drawn from the literature of faiths around the world Publisher: Subito Music Corp. *Commissioned by the Universal Sacred Music Foundation First Performance: New York, NY, April 26, 2008 |
“One Above,
Guide your people … May Harmony dwell within us And May Peace Abide!” |
Sunny Airs and Sober (1974)
For chorus SSATB (14:30)
"A Questioned Answered" (Shakespeare)
"Winter Mourning" (Shelley)
"Sigh No More, Ladies" (Shakespeare)
"Come Away, Death" (Shakespeare)
"Life is a Jest" (John Gay, Robert Herrick)
Publisher: Walton Music Corporation (Hinshaw Music, Inc.)
*Commissioned by the Waldorf Singers
First Performance: Gregg Smith Singers, August 1976
Others: Florilegium Chamber Choir; Canticum Novum; Early Music Ensemble of St. Paul; Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Georgia State University; University of Alabama - Huntsville
For chorus SSATB (14:30)
"A Questioned Answered" (Shakespeare)
"Winter Mourning" (Shelley)
"Sigh No More, Ladies" (Shakespeare)
"Come Away, Death" (Shakespeare)
"Life is a Jest" (John Gay, Robert Herrick)
Publisher: Walton Music Corporation (Hinshaw Music, Inc.)
*Commissioned by the Waldorf Singers
First Performance: Gregg Smith Singers, August 1976
Others: Florilegium Chamber Choir; Canticum Novum; Early Music Ensemble of St. Paul; Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Georgia State University; University of Alabama - Huntsville
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" The five texts are supplied by Shakespeare, Shelley, and Gay/Herrick, with the music graphically picturing the words, and tempos nicely juxtaposed to create a well-balanced cycle of works." - FANFARE
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Three Ayres (1969)
For chorus S(S)ATB (6:00)
"O Mistress Mine" (Shakespeare)
"Slow, Slow, Fresh Fount" (Ben Johnson)
"How Sweet I Roam'd" (Blake)
Publisher: Broude Brothers, Inc.
*Commissioned by the Great Neck Choral Society
First Performance: May 1969 Others: Waldorf Singers; Gregg Smith Singers; Syracuse Choral Society; University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; Dayton University (OH); University of Alabama - Huntsville;
For chorus S(S)ATB (6:00)
"O Mistress Mine" (Shakespeare)
"Slow, Slow, Fresh Fount" (Ben Johnson)
"How Sweet I Roam'd" (Blake)
Publisher: Broude Brothers, Inc.
*Commissioned by the Great Neck Choral Society
First Performance: May 1969 Others: Waldorf Singers; Gregg Smith Singers; Syracuse Choral Society; University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; Dayton University (OH); University of Alabama - Huntsville;
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"Delightfully different settings." - The Choral Journal
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"Three Ayres are lovely settings of well-known texts and would be additions to libraries of choral groups." - American Music Teacher
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Three Choruses from The SACRED SERVICE (1976, revised 1980)
baritone solo, chorus SSATB, piano (or organ) (16:30)
"Psalm 97: The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice"
"Why do we deal treacherously, brother against brother?"
"Thou shalt love the Lord"
Publisher: Galaxy Music Corporation (E.C. Schirmer)
Performed worldwide (See also: Orchestral Music)
baritone solo, chorus SSATB, piano (or organ) (16:30)
"Psalm 97: The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice"
"Why do we deal treacherously, brother against brother?"
"Thou shalt love the Lord"
Publisher: Galaxy Music Corporation (E.C. Schirmer)
Performed worldwide (See also: Orchestral Music)
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"Zaimont's new setting of 'Sacred Service' proved to be a beautiful, musically rewarding piece which held the audience's interest throughout and won an ovation at the finish. Her score is complex yet always accessible and expressive. The music invariably seemed to fit the words...which came alive in glowing or intensely moving fashion."
- The Trenton Times |
"Judith Lang Zaimont has brought a new and exciting voice to liturgical music. Her ideas are fresh; her combination of voice with text, added to her considerable skills in choral writing have created a memorable composition." - Cantor Paul Kwartin, Cantica Hebraica
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“Zaimont finds gold. Though she, like Bloch, strikes an epic note, it's her own epic note. She builds firmly over larger spans. Nothing meanders. All her lines give you the feeling that they lead somewhere, and the destination, though unpredictable, seems right once you arrive. She's not afraid of dissonance, but she's also not shy about writing a good tune. Yet the tune is hardly ever the point of her work. All the compositional elements – melody, harmony, rhythm, color, and motific argument tend to find a hierarchical equilibrium.
he choral writing throughout cannily mixes declamatory, homophonic passages with simple, clear contrapuntal ones. Zaimont concerns herself with making the text intelligible, even through large orchestral and vocal resources.” - Classica |
The Tragickal Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens (1980)
For chorus SSATB, choral soli, piano / Text: Traditional Ballad (10:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
For chorus SSATB, choral soli, piano / Text: Traditional Ballad (10:00)
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
VOICES (1996)
For chorus SATB, choral soli, 2 percussion, synthesizer and
brass nonet: 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, 2 tubas (31:00)
Text: Compiled and written by the composer, using poetry from around the world
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by Fairfield University (Connecticut)
First Performance: Fairfield University
For chorus SATB, choral soli, 2 percussion, synthesizer and
brass nonet: 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, 2 tubas (31:00)
Text: Compiled and written by the composer, using poetry from around the world
Publisher: Subito Music Corp.
*Commissioned by Fairfield University (Connecticut)
First Performance: Fairfield University
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