The Oaks Cloister Preludes - Book 1
Solo Instrument
work detail
instrumentation: piano
completion date: august 2022
duration: 8 minutes
texts:
audio
Oaks Cloister Prelude #3 - Morning Blessing
Oaks Cloister Prelude #2 - Twilight Melody
Oaks Cloister Prelude #1 - Afternoon Sunshower
movements
- Afternoon Sunshower (for Robin Eaton)
- Twilight Melody (for John Kohlhas)
- Morning Blessing (for Ian Wilcox, in honor of his dear mother)
composer's note
The Oaks Cloister Preludes are simple gifts for three very special individuals, all of whom are important parts of the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia family.
Afternoon Sunshower is written for alto Robin Eaton, and it is a work that I hope holds a little bit of that feeling one gets as the rainbow appears after a sprinkling of rain in the summertime.
Twilight Melody is written for baritone John Kohlhas, and here I’ve tried to create a work that encapsulates the sense of “gladness and singleness of heart” portrayed in the longing and resolution inherent in the melodic line.
Morning Blessing is written for Mendelssohn Chorus board member Ian Wilcox, and it brings together two hymns that are of deep significance to him and to his mother, for whom the work is dedicated: “Blessed Assurance” and “Just As I Am.”
All three of these preludes are donation commissions, written in thanksgiving for the generosity of spirit encouraged by these wonderful humans. The title reference to The Oaks Cloister, brings us to our final nugget of gratitude: thank you to Dr. Russ Harris, also of our Mendelssohn Chorus board, for opening his beautiful home to us for our fundraiser, and for helping in no small way to inspire these works.
-- Dominick DiOrio, August 2022
information
audio
Oaks Cloister Prelude #3 - Morning Blessing
Oaks Cloister Prelude #2 - Twilight Melody
Oaks Cloister Prelude #1 - Afternoon Sunshower
movements
- Afternoon Sunshower (for Robin Eaton)
- Twilight Melody (for John Kohlhas)
- Morning Blessing (for Ian Wilcox, in honor of his dear mother)
composer's note
The Oaks Cloister Preludes are simple gifts for three very special individuals, all of whom are important parts of the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia family.
Afternoon Sunshower is written for alto Robin Eaton, and it is a work that I hope holds a little bit of that feeling one gets as the rainbow appears after a sprinkling of rain in the summertime.
Twilight Melody is written for baritone John Kohlhas, and here I’ve tried to create a work that encapsulates the sense of “gladness and singleness of heart” portrayed in the longing and resolution inherent in the melodic line.
Morning Blessing is written for Mendelssohn Chorus board member Ian Wilcox, and it brings together two hymns that are of deep significance to him and to his mother, for whom the work is dedicated: “Blessed Assurance” and “Just As I Am.”
All three of these preludes are donation commissions, written in thanksgiving for the generosity of spirit encouraged by these wonderful humans. The title reference to The Oaks Cloister, brings us to our final nugget of gratitude: thank you to Dr. Russ Harris, also of our Mendelssohn Chorus board, for opening his beautiful home to us for our fundraiser, and for helping in no small way to inspire these works.
-- Dominick DiOrio, August 2022
