Daniel Wakin at the NY Times reports on the passing of Norman Dello Joio at age 95.
One of the first pieces of 20th Century choral music I sang was Dello Joio’s Jubilant Song. I still find the work, with its frequent time changes, syncopations, and pantonal harmonies to be an excellent exponent of the mid-century Americana style.
I still recall the first bars of the baritone solo from Della Joio’s Songs of Abelard 38 years after I played it in college. Now I know that was written for band. Has it been transcribed for orchestra? Thanks!
During my solo singer days, Dello Joio made frequent appearances on my programs. His songs are also terrific, and worthy of consideration in any modern American program.
‘Bye, Norman. We’ll miss you …
Davy,
Yes, the Third Piano Sonata is wonderful. Thank you for reminding me – I’m going to go dig out my own (tattered) copy of the sheet music.
Songs of Abelard, All-New England Band, 1976. It made quite an impression on my then-young ears. And his Third Piano Sonata was the first sheet music I ever bought with my own money. It’s a lovely piece.
I, too, sang it in HS choir and still love the piece, every now and then listening to the Mormon Tab’s recording of it. It’s a great choral song!
Uncanny. I posted this same article you blogged about five minutes ago and said exactly the same thing: “One of the first pieces of 20th Century choral music I sang was Dello Joio’s Jubilant Song.”
I loved that work and I STILL find it engaging.