Brecht’s play includes poetic quatrains before each scene as well as a marvelous “Ballad of the Orders” mocking society stratification. A humanist and satirical masterpiece. Audio includes music cues as well as Dirksen’s own digest of the full show.
solo instrument
A Wedding Prayer
Thank we all, Our God
A True Hymn
Really a sacred song – text by George Herbert – with optional obbligato instrument. For this commission Dirksen received ‘a case of excellent wine.’
Alleluia, A Newe Work is Come
From the 1961 York Cycle Play music. Also available as a movement in the 1965 Suite for Organ, Trumpet and Handbells (D. 513).
Night
A haunting major / minor nocturne, suitable for unison or solo voices with optional flute obbligato.
The Nativity
Audio & Video. Another one of my TOP FIVE works. The flute obbligato positively sparkles.
There standeth one among you
As it was in the days of Noah
O come, O come Emmanuel / Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,
Sonata for Strings, Clarinet & Piano
Sonata for Strings, Clarinet & Piano
Alleluia: a newe work
Sarabande from The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore
A Wedding Processional
Fanfare and Processional for a Wedding
Three Unicorn fanfares
These fanfares with a Sarabande processional opened productions of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s Unicorn, Gorgon and Manticore at the Cathedral in 1965 and 1976.