A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
Hymns & Carols
chorus with piano, solo voice with piano
work detail
instrumentation: for voice and keyboard
completion date: december 2023
duration: 3 minutes
texts: on an original text by the composer
events
A FEAST OF CAROLS
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia - Dominick DiOrio, artistic director
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Chestnut Hill - Philadelphia, PA
2:00 pm
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia's annual Christmas concert, A Feast of Carols. We are thrilled to present the world premiere of a new commission by Michael Robert Smith, set to the evocative poetry of fellow singer Kyle Conner. The concert will also showcase the exceptional talents of Timberdale Brass, organist Andrew Kotylo, new assistant conductor Ariel Alvarado, and our collaborative pianist and senior artist-in-residence, Ting Ting Wong, whose performance is sure to be a show-stopper. More information here.
audio
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
dedication
Commissioned by Daniel M. Kurtzman (Esq.) for the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia 2023 Holiday Fundraiser, in memory of his father, Eddie Kurtzman, for whom the Christmas season brought him a reminder of how much he was loved.
text
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas text and tune by Dominick DiOrio
A heart is turned at Christmas A smile begins to form A fleeting glance, a lilting dance, A lifted cloud transformed. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His heart-hurt chill here warmed.
A bell rings out at Christmas A chime uplifts the soul, A change of tone, a glimmer shown Of happiness made whole. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His steadfast toil console.
A love affirmed at Christmas A family joined as one An easy yoke, a time evoked, Of merriment hard-won. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His sadness here undone.
Vouchsafe the vow of Christmas Of darkest wounds made light, Of magic seen, of spirit clean, Of wrongs now turned upright. Shalom, shalom, v’Laila tov And peace to him this night.
information
events
A FEAST OF CAROLS
Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia - Dominick DiOrio, artistic director
St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Chestnut Hill - Philadelphia, PA
2:00 pm
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia's annual Christmas concert, A Feast of Carols. We are thrilled to present the world premiere of a new commission by Michael Robert Smith, set to the evocative poetry of fellow singer Kyle Conner. The concert will also showcase the exceptional talents of Timberdale Brass, organist Andrew Kotylo, new assistant conductor Ariel Alvarado, and our collaborative pianist and senior artist-in-residence, Ting Ting Wong, whose performance is sure to be a show-stopper. More information here.
audio
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas
press
dedication
Commissioned by Daniel M. Kurtzman (Esq.) for the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia 2023 Holiday Fundraiser, in memory of his father, Eddie Kurtzman, for whom the Christmas season brought him a reminder of how much he was loved.
text
A Heart Is Turned at Christmas text and tune by Dominick DiOrio
A heart is turned at Christmas A smile begins to form A fleeting glance, a lilting dance, A lifted cloud transformed. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His heart-hurt chill here warmed.
A bell rings out at Christmas A chime uplifts the soul, A change of tone, a glimmer shown Of happiness made whole. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His steadfast toil console.
A love affirmed at Christmas A family joined as one An easy yoke, a time evoked, Of merriment hard-won. Shalom, shalom v’Laila tov His sadness here undone.
Vouchsafe the vow of Christmas Of darkest wounds made light, Of magic seen, of spirit clean, Of wrongs now turned upright. Shalom, shalom, v’Laila tov And peace to him this night.
