I am sure that many of my readers do not fully appreciate the significance of Mr. Hoiby’s visit. Lee Hoiby is without a doubt one of the greatest living song composers of our time and his immense contribution to the song repertoire is recognized by singers and musicians worldwide. He has composed several full-length operas. His vast body of work includes some of the most moving songs ever written, premeired by the legendary Ms. Leontyne Price. I have personally performed many of Mr. Hoiby’s songs over the years. My master’s recital featured a favorite 5-song set entitled “The Shining Place”, with text by poet Emily Dickenson. I won two competitions and had a successful audition with one of the songs from that set entitled “There Came a Wind Like a Bugle”. The entire set was included as part of my winning NATSSA competition repertoire. Needless to say, MoSop is one of the most devoted fans of Lee Hoiby, and today she, and our site, has been greatly honored he took the time to visit and comment!

Allow me to clarify: It was never written for a trio, but for Cantus, a male vocal ensemble of 9 unaccompanied voices, divided into three parts. Since then it has been sung by larger groups and I have made an arrangement for mixed chorus.
I also made a version for baritone and piano, and the piano accompaniment turned into a string quartet, and even string orchestra accompaniment, which in turn now sometimes accompany the choral version. All versions can be obtained from the publisher Schott Music Company, to whom credit should be given. Schott is on the web or at 212.461.6943.

Best wishes,

Lee Hoiby

Thank you for this wonderful post. It brought tears to my eyes. You (Mo Sop) and Seth Adam Smith are gifts to the Mormon blog world.

I am linking this post over at “Mormon Insights.” I hope you get some traffic from it.