menu
menu

Ancren Chronicles

(1980)
The title derives from “anchoress,” an archaic word meaning “a woman who lives in religious seclusion; a nun.”
 
“Ancren Chronicles” was commissioned by the Shenandoah Conservatory women’s choir, Cantus Singers, at the request of its director James Laster. A song cycle, the piece consists of thirteen poems written by Susan Purinton, whose daughter was enrolled in an all-girls Catholic school located near a small Virginia town on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The texts deal with the girls, the nuns, and their relationships, over the course of a year, from fall arrival to spring graduation. The recurring refrain, “love is the essence of life,” binds the texts into a narrative of love, hope, mystery, exploration, and pain. 
Audio Excerpt
Instrumentation
Duration
33:41
Premiere
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester VA, April 1980

Cantus Singers, James H. Laster, director; Alyce Rideout, harp; Jeffrey Armor & Robin Downing, percussion
Commission
Cantus Singers
Share this Page
Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top
guy

?Who Stole the Polka?

Guy Klucevsek

1992, Eva Records – WWCX 2037

?Who Stole the Polka? is the second volume of pieces that accordionist Guy Klucevsek commissioned from composers ranging widely over the contemporary new music scene in the mid-’80s. 

Track 9A

“The Devil’s Polka”

Serenely Cedille

eighth blackbird

Cedille Records – CDR 8001

This new disc of calming classics, drawn from 16 different, acclaimed CDs in the Cedille Records catalog, consists of rare gems of relaxing classical music, ranging from symphony and concerto movements to solo piano, choral, and chamber works. 

Track 9

“Thirteen Ways” - Mvt. IV

Purchase

Round Nut Tool

eighth blackbird

“Round Nut Tool is our debut CD! A mix of our favorite works from the 1998-99 season, including excerpt tracks from Thomas Albert’s Thirteen Ways. This CD was independently recorded in Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin College, Oberlin OH. Produced and recorded by Michael Schulze and Charles Dixon. Additional support provided by AT&T Research Labs.” 

Tracks 6-8

“Thirteen Ways” - Mvts. VI, XI, VIII

Purchase the CD

Eighth Blackbird - Thirteen Ways, Thomas Albert

Thirteen Ways

eighth blackbird

2003, Cedille Records
Thirteen Ways is Eighth Blackbird’s commercial recording debut album on Cedille Records, featuring music by four of America’s most gifted composers: David Schober (b. 1974), Thomas Albert (b. 1948), Joan Tower (b. 1938), and George Perle (b. 1915).
Tracks 12 – 24

“Thirteen Ways”

Purchase Download

Purchase the CD

Thomas Albert, Composer - A Maze (with Grace), Devil's Rain - Relâche

On Edge

Relâche

1990, Mode Records – mode 22
Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Relâche is devoted to the development and performance of contemporary music with an emphasis on works of an experimental nature.
Track 3

“A Maze (With Grace)”

Track 4

“Devil's Rain”

Purchase

Thomas Albert, Night Music - Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble

Drunken Moon/Night Music

Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble

2007, Lime Green Productions
Two engaging, imaginative and accessible works are featured on this disk of commissions from our 30th Anniversary Season.
(Tracks 11 – 17)

“Night Music”

Purchase Download

Purchase the CD