In celebration of Earth Day, Cedille Records releases the world premiere recording of Stacy Garrop's monumental oratorio Terra Nostra, "a spellbinding dive into the history of the planet" (Chicago Classical Review). Terra Nostra explores the relationship between humanity and Earth, and how humankind can re-establish a harmonious balance. Stacy Garrop 's music is characterized by it's lyricism and vivid storytelling. She has been described by the Chicago Tribune as "one of Chicago's most keenly sensitive composers" and praised by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for musicthat "excites the enthusiasm of performers and audiences alike," while the Detroit Free Press remarks, "she has "asharp ear for instrumental color and narrative form: She can tell a story." Declared an "oratorio that embraces the whole world" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Garrop's tour de force is aninterconnected musical narrative presented in three parts: Creation of the World, The Rise of Humanity, and Searchingfor Balance. The multifarious text weaves together creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt, excerpts from the Bible'sOld Testament, classic poetry from Walt Whitman, Lord Byron, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and contemporary writings by Esther Iverem and Wendell Berry, among others. Terra Nostra is performed by soloists soprano Michelle Areyzaga, mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter, tenor Jesse Donner, andbass-baritone David Govertsen, the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Alice Millar Chapel Choir, and Chicago's Uniting Voices, all led by acclaimed conductor Stephen Alltop.

Tracklist:

Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part I. Creation of the World: In the Beginning
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part I. Creation of the World: God's World
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part I. Creation of the World: On Thine Own Child
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part I. Creation of the World: Smile O Voluptuous Cool-Breathed Earth!
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part I. Creation of the World: A Blade of Grass
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: Locksley Hall
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: Railways 1846
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: A Song of Speed
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: High Flight
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: Binsey Poplars
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part II. The Rise of Humanity: A Dirge
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: Darkness
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: Earth Screaming
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: The World Is Too Much With Us
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: The Want of Peace
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: A Child Said, What Is the Grass?
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: There Was a Child Went Forth Every Day
Terra Nostra, oratorio~Part III. Searching for Balance: A Blade of Grass / I Bequeath Myself

UPC: 735131922722
Label: Cedille
Release Date: 4.22.24
Format: CD

Garrop / Donner / Areyzaga / Alice Millar Chapel - Terra Nostra (CD)