"Mr Joe's Music"

final choral opera

another in my works writing new music for old psalms. This work is realized by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir. I'm not sure that it doesn't need some editing . . . c'est le vie. 1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. 3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

bored this week, so I opted to create this simple little ditty for flute and guitar.

an alternate recording of psalm 13 provided by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir 1How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

an older work for pipe organ. The audio file could use some updating with better sounds but, c'est le vie, this is what I have at the moment.

written for treble voices with some minor divisi that should not present a problem. The text was inspired by an online contest that required some "foreign" words in the end product. I chose a careful few to meet the requirements. This is a fun piece that juxtaposes my childhood with my grandchildren's . . . enjoy the fun (maybe it applies to you, too!!) score available: https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/579154.html

a 4 movement suite for guitar and flute, including a Prelude, a Fantasia, a Romanza. and a Danza. This work is dedicated to my friends, Marjorie Koharski and Keith Calmes in gratitude for keeping my flame burning.

a simple prelude fits anywhere in the program . . .

while the original cantata was written for praise team as defined in the tags, this alternate recording brings to the foreground the soprano and tenor voice with piano accompaniment

The entire cantata as performed on April 10, 2022 at the 1st Methodist Church of Urbana, Urbana Illinois can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbs8xzD0f4 UP! is part of the Praise & Worship cantata, Easter Tableaux which depicts the week between Palm and Easter Sunday with all the drama set in a contemporary setting.

The entire cantata as performed on April 10, 2022 at the 1st Methodist Church of Urbana, Urbana Illinois can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbs8xzD0f4 Pilate's Inquisition is part of the Praise & Worship cantata, Easter Tableaux which depicts the week between Palm and Easter Sunday with all the drama set in a contemporary setting.

The entire cantata as performed on April 10, 2022 at the 1st Methodist Church of Urbana, Urbana Illinois can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbs8xzD0f4 TESTIFY! is part of the Praise & Worship cantata, Easter Tableaux which depicts the week between Palm and Easter Sunday with all the drama set in a contemporary setting.

The entire cantata as performed on April 10, 2022 at the 1st Methodist Church of Urbana, Urbana Illinois can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbs8xzD0f4 To Caiaphas is part of the Praise & Worship cantata, Easter Tableaux which depicts the week between Palm and Easter Sunday with all the drama set in a contemporary setting.

The entire cantata as performed on April 10, 2022 at the 1st Methodist Church of Urbana, Urbana Illinois can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbs8xzD0f4 In The Garden is part of the Praise & Worship cantata, Easter Tableaux which depicts the week between Palm and Easter Sunday with all the drama set in a contemporary setting.

re-visiting my back catalog, I chose to look at all my previous psalm settings. This is a relatively simple setting of psalm 13 for choir with piano argument ;)

written earlier in 2021, a setting of some brief text from Psalm 32 (verse 11). A joyous work to uplift you after times of trouble or any time for that matter. The score is now available from Bergmann Edition here: https://bergmann-edition.com/collections/choir/products/virgilio-rejoice-alleluia

WHAT? YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND? I feel I can say this now as I am almost done, don't insult me by clicking the "like" button without listening. Really, that is so insulting to someone who has worked hard to provide a product. winding down this noble experiment gathering and choosing pitches, arranging them into some cogent order spread over various voices I offer what is probably among the final attempts I have made into this often frustrating but still satisfying work. On a text, a poem, by Sidney Lanier (d.1881)here is a choral pastorale for SATB (with a bit of divisi) choir.

a setting of the well known text from Luke's gospel, chapter 2 verses 28-32 . . . Simeon sees the infant Jesus and knows he has completed his time on earth. The score is available here: https://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/555378.html

a setting of a short poem, written by Michaelangelo, for women's voices. TEXT: Caro m'è 'l sonno e più l' esser di sasso, Mentre che 'l danno e la vergogna dura, Non veder, non sentir m'è gran ventura; Però non mi destar, deh! parla basso.

from 1971, among my very first attempts at this craft :-). Originally written and performed as incidental music for the Christmas masses at Newark, NJ's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. [CTLLC 20210410]

with a backing track produced by Andrew Noah Cap this is an updated recording this time featuring a soprano vocal. It's all about love all the time. It's the way through . . . text: solo l'amore nel mondo può guarire solo l'amore può fermare la follia l'amore è il regalo il regalo che porta pace l'amore è l'unico regalo che ritorna sanità [mentale] può arginare la marea solo l'amore solo l'amore con l'amore nei nostri cuori la via è chiara aprìte i cuori l'amore libera solo l'amore può liberare la gente! aprìte i cuori e quando si dona amore, l'amore torna a voi Only Love can heal this world Only Love can stop the folly Love is the gift The gift that leads to peace Love is the only gift that can return sanity that can stem the tide Only Love Only Love With love in our hearts, the way is clear Open your hearts Love frees Only Love can free the people! Open your hearts When you give love, love returns to you. CTLLC [20210410]

a little experiment in alternative harmonization (this time with the correct audiofile!!) of a rather simple and straight forward melodic motif. The addition of the descant recorder is a nice touch that solidifies the basic style of the work as it propels the entire piece toward conclusion. The text is a public domain poem by Charles Kingsley (d.1875) Young and Old When all the world is young, lad, And all the trees are green; And every goose a swan, lad, And every lass a queen; Then hey for boot and horse, lad, And round the world away; Young blood must have its course, lad, And every dog his day. When all the world is old, lad, And all the trees are brown; And all the sport is stale, lad, And all the wheels run down; Creep home, and take your place there, The spent and maimed among: God grant you find one face there, You loved when all was young.

a choral setting of Psalm 67 [KJV] for choir with piano accompaniment

a duet written originally for two good friends, Laura and Ernie, each deeply involved in their respective houses of worship's music ministries. This version includes all changes made to the score over the ensuing years, hopefully making it better. Thank you Laura, thank you Ernie for all that you have given me. TEXT: Call Upon His Name Joseph Virgilio ©2015 Mr Joe's Music Company When it seems you bear heavy burdens And your heart is dark with despair Turn away from worry and embrace the light and Call upon the wonderful name of the Lord When you feel that life holds no meaning Lost amongst the waste in a bleak world There's a light that shines forth Brighter than any star if you Call upon the merciful name of the Lord; blessed Lord There is peace when you turn to the Lord Peace and love in abundance Just ask the Lord, He will see to your needs For He loves you Emptiness and fear lie deep within When the cloud of sin weighs upon you There's a silver lining behind the darkest cloud when you Call upon the name of the Lord

No.3 in my audio tetraptych, SEASONS with text from James Ephraim McGirt. Final recording is pending . . . Summer is Gone The summer's gone; I stand in ice and sleet. Where art thou gone? Pray tell—I wish to seek. I seek the woods, Where once an arbor green; Ah, nothing now— The ice and woods are seen. The place I sat, And caught the summer glow, I see 'tis now A sheet of ice and snow.

this is the 4th section, the finale to my COVID-19 Seasons cycle. The text, with a little liberty, is an old poem by Robert Louis Stevenson Autumn Fires In the other gardens And all up the vale, From the autumn bonfires See the smoke trail! Pleasant summer over And all the summer flowers, The red fire blazes, The grey smoke towers. Sing a song of seasons! Something bright in all! Flowers in the summer, Fires in the fall!

during the isolation period of 2020 a copy of psalm 23 as written in The Bay Psalm Book crossed by my desk. Something about it spoke to me. I'd recently set the KJV translation for solo voice and piano so this time I thought I'd give the choir its turn.

the second in a COVID-19 seclusion inspired cycle Song Of Spring by Helen Leah Reed On every bush are roses blooming, everywhere the nightingale To his love again is warbling plaintively his oft-told tale. Now within our balmy garden dances the tall cypress tree, And the poplar never ceases clapping his slim hands in glee. From the height of every bough-tip you can hear the turtle sing, With loud voice proclaiming gaily the glad coming of the spring. On the head of the narcissus gleams as bright his diadem, As the crown of China's Emperor decked with many a costly gem. Here the west wind, there the north wind, in true token of their love, At the feet of yonder rose lay treasure poured down from above. All the earth with musk is scented, and musk-laden is the air. Everything proclaims that daily now draws nearer spring the fair.

a COVID-19 project to set 4 poems of a seasonal nature, this is the first. Winter Streams by William Bliss Carman Now the little rivers go Muffled safely under snow, And the winding meadow streams Murmur in their wintry dreams, While a tinkling music wells Faintly from their icy bells, Telling how their hearts are bold Though the very sun be cold. Ah, but wait until the rain Comes a-sighing once again, Sweeping softly from the Sound Over ridge and meadow ground! Then the little streams will hear April calling far and near,— Slip their snowy bands and run Sparkling in the welcome sun. (This poem is in the public domain)

this audio audition is a transcription of an original a cappella choral work for mixed voices. 08f1

name change, better describes the moment . . . final [!?!?] draft of a bedtime story in pandemic times written for solo flügelhorn . . . a trumpet could pass though it does get low. Dedicated to the brass players in my life but mostly to my friend, Andy, who helps in all things musical and life sustaining . . . 012a

a bit more quarantine work, originally written for three-part SAB choir a cappella. Here the work has been transcribed for mellow brass instruments; flugelhorn, french horn, and trombone The score will soon be available for purchase from Musicforbrass.com

a companion [9c1]

some "isolation" music . . . hopefully, one more to follow.

Fluido for flute and guitar was my first new work of 2020 - pre-COVID lockdown. The score is now available for purchase from Bergmann Edition: https://bergmann-edition.com/products/virgilio-fluido this recording features Marjorie Koharski on flute and Keith Calmes on guitar.

a setting of the poem written by Robert Herrick (d.1674), personally I don't think the text is as straight forward as historical tradition would lead you to believe. But that is the great thing about poetry, sometimes we can make our own sense of it. CHRISTMAS-EVE, ANOTHER CEREMONY. by Robert Herrick COME guard this night the Christmas-Pie, That the thief, though ne'er so sly, With his flesh-hooks, don't come nigh To catch it From him, who all alone sits there, Having his eyes still in his ear, And a deal of nightly fear To watch it.

initial demo recording, Charity & Love is a rather free translation, without straying afar, of the traditional Ubi Caritas. score available for purchase: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/charity-love-for-mixed-voices-digital-sheet-music/21566460 TEXT: Find charity and love, you'll find God, and in this love through Christ we are bound, Rejoice, Rejoice and be glad Love the living God *that may we* love each other with sincerity, Rejoice, rejoice and be glad in Him. Find charity and love, you'll find God, in His embrace we're gathered into one, So beware, lest divided in mind we might be. Let evil stop let controversy cease, and in our midst may God through Jesus be. Find charity and love, you'll find God, and also with the saints may we see thy face In glory, O Christ our God, His goodness and His joy through age unto age will persist; Amen. *text* is reversed in the recording but should be sung as written . . .

a new setting of psalm 134 for mixed chorus more suited to a concert setting rather than the Sunday service.

MALE VOICE VERSION of the previously posted simple setting of the antiphon, Into Paradise. Envisioned initially for funeral services where the vocalist is seeking something different without going too far astray. It may be utilized in other settings as the performer sees fit. Most any voice can sing this one, range is one octave, Db-Db. This score is available at: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/may-the-angels-lead-you-into-paradise-digital-sheet-music/21319624?ac=1

A live, in-home quarantined performance may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhMDoH3UdcI E-lude (pronounced eh-lude) is a piece for the classical guitarist which should be interpreted with plenty of all around flexibility in performance. It combines elements of the prelude and the etude with a nod to the rondo form; admittedly, none of which are fully realized here. These forms were chosen as basic references that their individual characteristics would inform the present piece of music. THE SCORE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM BERGMANN EDITION: https://bergmann-edition.com/products/virgilio-e-lude

reading the poem 'Upon Sappho from Hesperides'(H-985)written by Robert Herrick [d.1674], Sappho's Lip was composed as a 60 second excursion for mixed ensemble including 3 saxophones, 1 Bb trumpet, 1 Bb clarinet, violoncello, marimba, vibraphone, and mixed 'unpitched' percussion. Granted it has less commercial value than usual but it was fun getting the disparate instruments to work together!

. . . the title says all you need to know ;) NOTE: the saxophonist will need to switch to Alto from the Soprano . . . The accompanying illustration was made by Butterfly voyages - Serge Ouachée - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10391084 20200722

the second piece in the deux à deux set for flute and guitar . . . The score for Deux À Deux No.2 will soon be available commercially, watch this space for further details. 9c1

a simple setting of the antiphon, Into Paradise. Envisioned initially for funeral services where the vocalist is seeking something different without going too far astray. It may be utilized in other settings as the performer sees fit. Most any voice can sing this one, range is one octave, Db-Db 3h1

for wind instruments, choice scoring is flute, alto flute and two Bb clarinets. Options include replacing the alto flute with a 3rd Bb clarinet, leaving the C flute in place. Third option replaces the C flute as well with the Eb soprano clarinet. pick your own season . . . :) (image from Four Seasons by Alfons Mucha ca. 1897) public domain

scrounging around for leftovers, this brief moment of solitude is a holdover from college, albeit in a slightly different form than the original. It began life as a little art song (pretty much all I did at that time) setting of a poem by Emily Dickinson. Around the turn of the millenium I made some adjustments deciding it worked better as an instrumental. This piece would make a nice encore in a 'cellist's recital.