Dave Brubeck and Marquette Choral Society
Dave Brubeck is of course well known as a jazz pianist. Less well known is the fact that he is a composer of some excellent choral music as well. The Marquette Choral Society takes pride in its role in the composition of one of his major choral works, Earth is Our Mother.
Earth is Our Mother is a cantata for baritone soloist, chorus, and a small instrumental ensemble. Its solo text by Ted Perry is from a television program on ecology titled "Home." The text captures the spirit of a speech that was given by Chief Seattle of the Suquamish tribe in 1854. While the baritone sings the words of Chief Seattle, the chorus sets the mood with quotes such as "How can you buy or sell the sky or the land?" and Native American chanting. The ensemble features haunting Native American flute melodies and drumming.
Dave Brubeck and his jazz quartet performed with the Marquette Choral Society for the world premiere of Earth is Our Mother on April 11, 1992. The commissioning of the work was made possible by a gift from Mrs. Phyllis Reynolds of Marquette, Michigan, in memory of her late husband, Maxwell K. Reynolds, Jr.
Earth is Our Mother has been published by Warner Bros. Publications, number OCT02613.
A Brubeck Web Site
(Follow this link to a web site in England which provides additional information about Dave Brubeck.)
Rhythmic Review Article
(This link goes to an on-line July, 1997 magazine article about Dave Brubeck.)
schirmer.com Brubeck Info
(The schirmer.com web site gives information about Brubeck's work as a composer.)
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Last Update: September 2, 1998
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