Freed From Words
MARK WINGES

freed from words Choral Music of Mark Winges

INNOVA innova 573

Whether he is using the lean vocal texts of Haiku or simple phonemes, the choral music of San Francisco-based composer Mark Winges probes deeply into the spiritual and sonic depths of the chorus. Voices are layered upon one another to create thick euphonious chords that pour slowly into dissonance and agitated rhythms, punctuated by hard consonants. The two performing ensembles, Ancora & Ensemble of the Piedmont Chorus and especially the San Francisco Chamber Singers (of which Winges is the composer-in-residence) attack these pieces with energy and impeccable intonation.

Magic Strings (1992) (5:21)
The Piedmont Children's Choir
Rachel Wiley, Lauren Schekman, Joanna Criddle, Katy Gentry, Melissa Wong, soloists
Sue Bohlin, piano

Haiku Settings (1996) - First Set (4:41)
Haiku Settings (1996) - Second Set (3:56)
Haiku Settings (1996) - Third Set (7:13)
The San Francisco Chamber Singers / Sandra Coria, soprano solo

Freed From Words (1995) (9:02)
The San Francisco Chamber Singers / Lynn Tousey, soprano solo, Mike Peterson, tenor solo
The Moon-Welcome (1999) (6:20)
Ancora / Jessica Ashman, soprano solo - Nora Wilcox, alto solo - Katherine Breeden, whistling solo
Wishes Night (1999) (5:44)
The San Francisco Chamber Singers / Ralph Nieder-Westermann, tenor solo
The Oh of Moon and Piano (2000) (9:34)
The Piedmont Children's Choir / soloists (sung): Katherine Breeden, Ella Bacon, Kelsey, Laverne, Marion Evans, Emily Radcliff / soloists (whistling): Sydney Howe, Katherine Chang
Sue Bohlin, piano