BIBLICAL INSPIRED SOPRANO MUSIC
This page presents canticles and sacred vocal music for soprano and ensemble. The collection features biblical text-inspired vocal works, including compositions based on the Song of Songs, creating a profound spiritual experience.
SPRING CALLS
for soprano and ensemble
Duration:
10.5 minutes
Instrumentation:
Leggero soprano (also plays small percussion instruments),
flute, viola, cello and harp
Required percussion instruments:
Finger Cymbals
Sistrum
Group of small cow bells
Small Indian bells
Pair of small and light Chinese / Tibetan hand cymbals [tingshaws]
Year Composed:
2006
Text:
Canticles 2; 1-13
(also known as “The Songs of Songs” or “Shir Hashirim”
Language:
Hebrew
Written For:
Close Encounters with Music
Commissioned By:
Lola and Edwin Jaffe
Premiere Performance:
6 May 2007
Great Barrington, MA, USA
Close Encounters With Music
About Spring Calls
Spring Calls is a 10½‑minute setting of verses from Canticles 2:1–13 (The Song of Songs), composed for leggero soprano and a small ensemble. The work follows a woman’s journey through anticipation, awakening, and the discovery of love — a parallel to the blossoming of spring that lies at the heart of the biblical text. Blending modal, ancient‑sounding colors with contemporary clarity, the music evokes the atmosphere of early ritual instruments and timeless poetry. The soprano’s line, supported by flute, viola, cello, and harp, moves between intimacy and radiance, creating a lyrical meditation on renewal and desire.
For the Performers
Level: For professional sopranos and advanced conservatory‑level chamber ensembles.
Programming: Ideal for concerts featuring biblical texts, Song of Songs settings, spring‑themed programs, or works exploring spirituality and sensuality in Hebrew poetry.
Style: Modal, lyrical writing with an archaic–modern blend; delicate textures; expressive but light soprano line.
Percussion Requirement: The soprano performs small percussion instruments (finger cymbals, sistrum, cowbells, Indian bells, tingshaws). These instruments are available for rental, ensuring performers can access the correct timbres and sizes.
Program Notes
Spring Calls for soprano, flute, viola, cello, and harp is a setting of texts from the second chapter of Canticles (Shir Hashirim), also known as "The Song of Songs," one of the five "Megilot" – sacred scrolls that are part of the Hebrew Bible. Canticles is primarily read during Passover, the "holiday of spring," and its theme revolves around love and the rebirth of love, symbolized by spring.
Typically, composers set only one or two lines of Canticles texts to music. However, I was interested in creating a journey, both literal and psychological, depicting a woman's quest, anticipation, and discovery of love. The text parallels the awakening of love with the vibrant and colorful awakening of spring. In selecting instrumentation and musical language, I aimed to blend a modal, archaic sound with modern elements. Thus, listeners may discern echoes of exotic and ancient instruments, such as the sistrum – an Egyptian percussion instrument dating back to 2500 B.C., primarily used in religious ceremonies.
Spring Calls was composed for Close Encounters With Music, under the artistic direction of Yehuda Hanani. The generous commissioning of this work by Lola and Edwin Jaffe is deeply appreciated for their steadfast support.
Vocal Works Based on Song of Songs
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Britten, Benjamin – Canticle I: My Beloved is Mine – High Voice and Piano (1947)
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Foss, Lukas – Song of Songs – Soprano and Orchestra (1973)
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Lang, David – just (after song of songs) – Two Sopranos, Contralto, Percussion, Viola, Cello (2014)
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Muhly, Nico – Set Me as a Seal – Voice and Organ/Small Ensemble (2003/2004)
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Ran, Shulamit – Song of Songs – Soprano and Chamber Ensemble (1992)
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Rorem, Ned – Three Songs from the Song of Songs – Soprano and Piano (1973)
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Saminsky, Lazare – Sweet Is Thy Voice: The Song of Songs in Concert (selected songs from the cycle) – Voice and Piano (early 20th century)
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Schütz, Heinrich – Ego dormio, SWV 63 (from Cantiones Sacrae) – Soprano, Tenor, and Basso Continuo (1629)
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Wyner, Yehudi – Shir Hashirim – SSAA or SATB chorus (with Soprano solo) or various chamber voicings (1993)
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Zorn, John – Shir Hashirim – Five Female Voices (wordless) (2008)