The Music of Robert Nelson
Robert Nelson's music has captivated audiences, critics, and peers for over four decades.
Catalog
Choral Works

Large Works

• Nicholas of Myra: A Choral Triptych – SATB, soloists, and piano or orchestra; dramatic choral piece with libretto by Sharon Shepley based on the legends of Saint Nicholas.
(Approximately one hour in duration.)
I. Antiphon I
II. Panel One: Introduction and Miracle of the Three Maidens
III. Antiphon II
IV. Panel Two: Miracle at Sea
V. Antiphon III
VI. Panel Three: Redemption of the Three Generals

(The closing Festival Benedicite is published for chorus, brass, and organ by Roger Dean. Gloria in Excelsis, A Hymn of Thanksgiving, and Occasional Graces and Meditations have also been excerpted from the larger work.)

• An American Anthem – SATB/accompanied

A medley of music to original texts reflecting the immigrant experiences of the various ethnic groups. There is a shorter version for chorus, brass, and percussion and an extended version for chorus and orchestra. (A version of the latter also exists with piano four-hands and percussion.)

• A Nyw Werke is Come on Honde - SATB/orchestra

A cantata for Advent or Christmas consisting of five choral pieces for various ensembles separated by solo recitatives.
I. A Nyw Werke is Come on Honde – SATB
II. Recitative
III. No La Devemos Dormir – SATB (in Spanish)
IV. Recitative
V. Sweet Was the Song – SSAA
VI. Recitative
VII. An Hymne – SATB a capella
VIII. Gloria Tibi Domine – SATB

“Sweet Was the Song” is published with piano accompaniment by Alliance. The other selections
are also available with piano accompaniments. The entire cantata appears on the CD An
American Voice, Troy 381, from Albany Records

• The Things We Have— In Memoriam: September 11, 2001*
SATB with flute, timpani, and strings
Cantata in four movements incorporating the hymn tune Erhalt uns, Herr by Martin Luther;
texts from the Bible and new hymn texts by Patricia B. Clark; commissioned by the Houston Bach
Choir

• The Christ Hymn – Cantata for SATB/organ

• A Year’s Quiet Journey – a capella chorus, written for VOX/The Rob Seible Singers*
I. First Snow
II. Now Spring
III. Summer Song
IV. Leaves Dancing
V. Quiet Snow

• A Quilter Sampler – choral settings of songs by Roger Quilter, chorus and piano, commissioned by
VOX/The Rob Seible Singers*
I. The Bracelet
II. The Maiden Blush
III. Cherry Ripe
IV. Julia’s Hair
V. By a Fountainside
VI. Love’s Philosophy

• Two Poems of Robert Frost - Chorus and Orchestra
      I.  To Earthward
      II.  Riders
Commissioned by the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston, TX.

• Los Pastores (a Christmas Mystery Play)
      I. Pedimento de las posadas
      II. No Le Devemos Dormir
      III. Vamos todos a Belen
      IV. Niño Divino V. A la ru
Soprano solo, chorus, and orchestra
3-2-2-2; 2-2-4; Perc.; Harp; Strings

Smaller Works

• Madrigals for a New Age – SSATB unaccompanied*

Six pieces with original texts by Lynda Lacy; written for the HSPVA Madrigal Singers and
published by Roger Dean Publishing as part of the Charles Bruffy series

• “Spirit Moving Over Chaos” – SATB a capella*

Text by Patricia B. Clark; commissioned by the Bering Memorial United Methodist Church
Chancel Choir, Rob Seible, director

• “We Sing of Spring” – SATB/piano, triangle, finger cymbals
Original text by Anna Louise Bruner; commissioned by the Lanier Junior High Mixed
Chorus, Judy McEnany, director; published by Alliance

• “The Dove in Spring” – treble voices, TTBB/ piano*
Poem by Wallace Stevens

• “Divine Musician” – treble voices, TTBB/piano*
Original text by Patricia B. Clark

• Three Songs for Girls – SSA
Original lyrics by Lynda Lacy

• More Questions Than Answers: a set of songs for boys – TBB
Original lyrics by Lynda Lacy

• Psalm XXIII – SAB/piano or organ

• The Songs of Autolycus – TTBB/piano*
Texts from Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale
I. Three Ballads
II. First Song of the Peddler
III. Courting Song
IV. Second Song of the Peddler

• “White Bird, Silver Bird” – treble voices and piano
Original text by Sidney Berger; published by Alliance

• “A Christmas Soliloquy” – treble voices and piano
Original text by Lynda Lacy; published by Alliance

• “Music for the Baby” – treble voices and piano or orchestra
Original text by Lynda Lacy, written for the Houston Boychoir

Canciones de Amor y Pérdida - Chorus and Mariachi Ensemble
Poems by Amado Nervo, Octavia Paz, and Ruben C. Navarro
Commissioned by the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston, TX

De Ramis Cadunt Folia - A capella Chorus

• The Lovely Light - Soloists, Women's Chorus, and Chamber Ensemble
Texts by Kate Pogue
Commissioned by the Houston Tuesday Musical Club in celebration of its centennial

 

Arrangements

• Oldtime Train Songs – traditional, chorus, strings, piano, drums
I. The Wabash Canonball
II. Orange Blossom Special
III. The Rock Island Line

• Texas, Our Texas: a Revue of Texas and Western Songs -
For treble voices/piano, written for the Houston Boychoir

“Beautiful Texas”
“I’m and Old Cowhand”
“The Gunfighter’s Lament” (published by Shawnee, also for TBB)
“Long Tall Texan”
“Ghost Riders in the Sky” (also for TBB)
“Saturday Heroes” (“I’m Back in the Saddle Again”, “Tumbling
Tumbleweeds”, “Happy Trails”)
“Red River Valley” (published by AMC)
“Deep in the Heart of Texas”
“Pecos Bill”
“The Yellow Rose of Texas”
“The Old Chisholm Trail” (published by Shawnee)
“Whoopee Ti Yi Yo” (published by Shawnee)
“Texas, Our Texas”

• Medley from Paint Your Wagon – TTBB/piano

• “Soldier Son” – TTBB unaccompanied (barbershop)

• Spirituals arranged for treble voices and piano

"Steal Away"
"Little David Play on Your Harp"
"King Jesus is A-listening"
"I Want to Be Ready"
"Joshua Fit De Battle Ob Jericho"
"Deep River"

• Patriotic Medley – treble voices/piano
“This is My Country”, “America the Beautiful”, and “God Bless America”

• “Good King Wenceslas” – SSA unaccompanied

• “Lo, How a Rose” - SSA unaccompanied

• “Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella” – treble voices/strings, piano

• “Passing By” – SAB/piano

• Songs of the Rails – medley for SATB/piano
“Wabash Cannonball”, “Rock Island Line”, “Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe”, and “City
of New Orleans”.

• “Swinging on a Star” – SSA/piano

• Moonlight Becoming – medley for SSAA unaccompanied
“By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, “Shine On Harvest Moon”, and “Moonface, Starry
Eyes” (from Kurt Weill’s Street Scene)

• Rogers and Hart Medley – SSA/piano
“Dancing on the Ceiling”, “My Heart Stood Still”, “This Can’t Be Love”

• “Bear Necessities” – SSA with obligato Tuba

• “Down By the Riverside” – SSA unaccompanied

• “Over the Rainbow” – SSAA/piano

• “Nature Boy” – SATB unaccompanied

• "Amazing Grace" - SAB/Piano

• "My God is Love/Heal Our Land" - Bass/Baritone Solo, Chorus and Orchestra

• "Called to Serve" - Chorus and Orchestra

• "Be Thou My Vision" - Treble voices, Flute, Organ

• "Showbiz is My Life" - Chorus and Jazz Quartet

 

 

 

*Recordings are available to the selections marked with the asterisk.

Posted: Nov-16-2018
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