Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: SATB chorus Text: Alleluia Duration: 7 min. Premiere: March 5, 2016, The Mendelssohn Club, Paul Rardin, Artistic Director Commissioned by: The Mendelssohn Club in honor of Alan Harler Published by: Summer 2016, Boosey & Hawkes, Conductor’s Choice Catalogue. Purchase here.
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
“Andrea’s Alleluia for Alan Harler glows. A lyrical four-note theme permeates this charming six-minute miniature, winding its way through both lilting, calming refrains and brassy fanfares, culminating in a rhythmic heartbeat of singers’ hands tapping their own chests (could this be Andrea’s own heart thanking her dear colleague Alan Harler for their many years of collaboration?). Thanks to very shrewd voice-leading, Alleluia falls into that category most prized by conductors: “Accessible Pieces that Sound More Challenging Than They Are.” Thank you Andrea — we can’t wait to bring this piece into the world on March 5.”
–Paul Rardin, Artistic Director, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
REVIEW
“Many alleluias – at turns complex, simple, strange, sad and always intriguing – were heard from Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia in celebratory commissions, both titled “Alleluia,” from two of the city’s best-known composers, Jennifer Higdon and Andrea Clearfield. In the new works (dedicated to retired artistic director Alan Harler), both composers were at their best. Clearfield’s “Alleluia” went against the grain of its title with an entrancing undercurrent of melancholy…The piece ended with the choir using precisely honed exhaling rather than singing, with a strong sense of farewell.”
–Alleluias for composers Higdon and Clearfield by David Patrick Stearns, Music Critic, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/7/2016
LISTEN
WATCH
PROGRAM NOTES
Alleluia was commissioned by Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Paul Rardin,
Artistic Director, in honor of Alan Harler and his 27 years of inspired musical
leadership. The 7 minute piece for acapella chorus uses only the word “Alleluia”.
It begins with two main thematic ideas that are developed throughout the work:
a gentle, lilting motive like a lullaby and a 4-note theme that travels throughout
the voices.
It was an honor to have been asked to write this work in celebration of Alan Harler.
Our collaborations have been high points in my musical life. These include two
large-scale cantatas commissioned by Mendelssohn Club. I am deeply grateful to
Maestro Harler for his encouragement and openness to explore different ways of
creating, for his strong advocacy of new work, and for successfully building and
energizing a large and enthusiastic audience for contemporary choral music. This
work is a tribute to his major contribution to choral arts and to a valued friendship.
With deep appreciation to the Mendelssohn Club and their excellent new leader,
Paul Rardin for carrying on the torch.
The premiere performance took place on March 5, 2016 at the Temple Performing Arts
Center in Philadelphia
Alleluia
Alleluia Premiere
Scored for: SATB chorus
Text: Alleluia
Duration: 7 min.
Premiere: March 5, 2016, The Mendelssohn Club, Paul Rardin, Artistic Director
Commissioned by: The Mendelssohn Club in honor of Alan Harler
Published by: Summer 2016, Boosey & Hawkes, Conductor’s Choice Catalogue. Purchase here.
Contact Andrea Clearfield for score and parts:
See preview score pages:
Alleluia Boosey & Hawkes perusal
QUOTE
“Andrea’s Alleluia for Alan Harler glows. A lyrical four-note theme permeates this charming six-minute miniature, winding its way through both lilting, calming refrains and brassy fanfares, culminating in a rhythmic heartbeat of singers’ hands tapping their own chests (could this be Andrea’s own heart thanking her dear colleague Alan Harler for their many years of collaboration?). Thanks to very shrewd voice-leading, Alleluia falls into that category most prized by conductors: “Accessible Pieces that Sound More Challenging Than They Are.” Thank you Andrea — we can’t wait to bring this piece into the world on March 5.”
–Paul Rardin, Artistic Director, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
REVIEW
“Many alleluias – at turns complex, simple, strange, sad and always intriguing – were heard from Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia in celebratory commissions, both titled “Alleluia,” from two of the city’s best-known composers, Jennifer Higdon and Andrea Clearfield. In the new works (dedicated to retired artistic director Alan Harler), both composers were at their best. Clearfield’s “Alleluia” went against the grain of its title with an entrancing undercurrent of melancholy…The piece ended with the choir using precisely honed exhaling rather than singing, with a strong sense of farewell.”
–Alleluias for composers Higdon and Clearfield by David Patrick Stearns, Music Critic, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/7/2016
LISTEN
WATCH
PROGRAM NOTES
Alleluia was commissioned by Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Paul Rardin,
Artistic Director, in honor of Alan Harler and his 27 years of inspired musical
leadership. The 7 minute piece for acapella chorus uses only the word “Alleluia”.
It begins with two main thematic ideas that are developed throughout the work:
a gentle, lilting motive like a lullaby and a 4-note theme that travels throughout
the voices.
It was an honor to have been asked to write this work in celebration of Alan Harler.
Our collaborations have been high points in my musical life. These include two
large-scale cantatas commissioned by Mendelssohn Club. I am deeply grateful to
Maestro Harler for his encouragement and openness to explore different ways of
creating, for his strong advocacy of new work, and for successfully building and
energizing a large and enthusiastic audience for contemporary choral music. This
work is a tribute to his major contribution to choral arts and to a valued friendship.
With deep appreciation to the Mendelssohn Club and their excellent new leader,
Paul Rardin for carrying on the torch.
The premiere performance took place on March 5, 2016 at the Temple Performing Arts
Center in Philadelphia