A stirring arrangement of the USA's national anthem. Natural slowing at the end gives a singer room to show their stuff. Full orchestra captures the drama of the words, with strings and harp in the quieter sections, adding horns and winds as it builds energy, and climaxing with trumpets and marching drums.
Bb G C Ab F
This slow minor-key SATB chorus is Movement 22 of Handel's Messiah, opening the second part. Beautiful and dramatic canonic entrances, with all the choral parts clearly mirrored in the orchestra.
Gm
A slow, moving aria for alto, Movement 23 of Handel's Messiah, describing Christ's sorrows. Strings gently weep in the accompaniment. As the A section is over five minutes in length, Handel's instructions to continue with a bridge and then repeat the A section in its entirety are rarely followed. This recording ends, like most, at the end of the A section; the bridge is available separately as Spiritrax 1209, "He Gave His Back to the Smiters".
Eb
This quiet alto aria about Christ's generosity towards his abusers is the B section of movement 23 of the Messiah. It was recorded separately so that it can be used alone, as a short and simple aria, or as a bridge to "He Was Despised" (Spiritrax 1208) as per Handel's original instructions.
Cm
A powerful, strong SATB choral work, movement 24 of Handel's Messiah. In only 19 measures, the choir sings powerful unison rhythms, soft contrapuntal entrances, and a forceful antiphonal ending. Beautiful and recognizable.
Fm
A bounding, joyous SATB chorus, movement 26 of Handel's Messiah. Ends with a slow quiet coda. Orchestral direction follows the London Philharmonic recording.
F
The Spiritrax.com Christmas Collection Vol. 1 includes 12 of our most popular Christmas songs in their most commonly sung keys. Each accompaniment background track comes with sheet music and a demonstration version.
A Spiritrax.com original contemporary praise band worship song about singing God's praises. Main themes include grace, freedom, love, praise.
G
A contemplative arrangement for Viola, Piano, and acoustic bass of the traditional high holy day song Kol Nidre. Instrumental intro, followed by one time through the song, and a tag instrumental ending. Kol Nidre means "All Vows" and is a flat statement that no promise of any kind will be kept for the coming year. Note, this arrangement is a shortened version of the full prayer, and is designed to allow for cantorial singing prior to chanting or speaking the full prayer -- an effective High Holiday congregational technique.
Abm Fm Cm
A forcefully dramatic tenor recitative, movement 27 of Handel's Messiah. Only a minute in length, it can also be performed by a soprano soloist.
Bbm
A slow, deliberate tenor recitative, movement 25 of Handel's Messiah, describing Christ's sorrow at being abandoned to his fate. String orchestra with harp and harpsichord, matching Handel's original score.
B
An ambient contemporary version of the classic Christmas carol. The sound of whistling wind brings out the cold, dark quality of this minor key carol, and an eclectic group of instruments (bass, piano, guitar, synthesizers, strings, and a variety of percussion) provide an easy background to sing over.
Am Cm Fm
Movement 33 of Handel's Messiah is celebratory and challenging, with a strong Amen ending, a great choral work for Christmas or other holidays. This SATB (and at times, SSATB) chorus that features strong unison rhythms alternating with quiet fugal sections. Full orchestra accompaniment that follows Handel's original score.
F
A flowing aria for alto, movement 36 of the Messiah. Orchestral accompaniment follows Handel's original score.
Dm
A strong, energetic SATB chorus, movement 39 of the Messiah is fairly brief. Forte all the way through, it makes a good concert opener. The orchestra follows Handel's original score.
Eb
