Soli and SSA/SSAA or SATB chorus with
2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, percussion (one player), harp, strings or piano
A celebration of some of E. E. Cummings’ most vivid nature poetry. Commissioned by the Smith College Glee Club, Theodore Morrison, director.
 | Earthsongs is available on American Journey, a CD collection of unusual choral works in exciting performances. Performed by New Amsterdam Singers, Elizabeth Rodgers, piano, Clara Longstreth, conductor. On Albany Records, Troy108.Available from Albany RecordsAvailable on iTunes |
Movements:
- O sweet spontaneous earth
- in Just-spring
- as is the sea marvelous
- All in green went my love riding
- when god lets my body be
- i thank You God
| Composed: | 1983 |
| Text by: | E. E. Cummings |
| Duration: | 16:00 |
| Publisher: | E. C. Schirmer Music Company |
| Catalog Number(s): | Click here to purchase:SSA/SSAA Version 1. O sweet spontaneous earth, 5701 2. In Just-spring, 5702 3. As is the sea marvelous, 5703 4. All in green went my love riding, 5704 5. When God lets my body be, 5705 6. I thank You God, 5706 Additional Full Score, 4095 Full Score and parts available for rental. SATB Version 1. O sweet spontaneous earth, 7287 2. In Just-spring, 7288 3. As is the sea marvelous, 7289 4. All in green went my love riding, 7290 5. When God lets my body be, 7291 6. I thank You God, 7292 Additional Full Score, 4095 Full Score and parts available for rental. |
VIDEO: earthsongs mvt 3: “as is the sea marvellous”
Performed by the Wellesley College Women’s Choir at their Fall 2010 Concert
VIDEO: earthsongs mvt 6: “I thank you God”
Performed by the Chatham University Women’s Choir and the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh
Reviews:
Ronald Perera, born in 1941, excels in choral music, and Clara Longstreth is doing a great service in bringing his work to the public. On the present disc we hear his Earthsongs (1983) on texts by e.e. cummings. These are sublime pieces, and immediately advance to the front rank of cummings’settings. “In Just-spring” and “as is the sea marvelous” are particularly fine, but in fact I like all six pieces.
Fanfare Magazine, Winter 1994 (review of Albany CD, Troy 108)
Score Sample:
SSA/SSAA Version Audio Excerpts:
New Amsterdam Singers, Clara Longstreth, conductor
1. O sweet spontaneous earth
2. In Just-spring
3. As is the sea marvelous
4. All in green went my love riding
5. When God lets my body be
6. I thank You God
SATB Version Audio Excerpts:
New Amsterdam Singers, Clara Longstreth, conductor
1. O sweet spontaneous earth
2. In Just-spring
3. As is the sea marvelous
4. All in green went my love riding
5. When God lets my body be
6. I thank You God