"Da pacem Domine" is dedicated to two of my dear relatives named James. I felt the inspiration to start this piece in the weeks leading up to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, in which my dear grandfather Jimmy Rain (1895-1974) had serv...  more"Da pacem Domine" is dedicated to two of my dear relatives named James. I felt the inspiration to start this piece in the weeks leading up to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, in which my dear grandfather Jimmy Rain (1895-1974) had served in the Canadian forces, in one of the most dangerous roles, as a runner in northwestern France. This song honours his memory and the love that he showed me as a boy and a young man growing up. Shortly after starting this piece, I then learned that my dear cousin Jamie Shaw (1959-2019) was gravely ill and with his permission, I have dedicated this piece to him as well. Jamie's courage, good spirit and humour throughout his illness was an inspiration to all of us who knew him. "Da pacem Domine" is a musical search for peace: both external peace, between individuals, groups, societies, nations; and internal peace, to find a restful spot within the soul, amidst the serious tensions and conflicts seemingly inherent in the human stream of existence. It explor...    less

Poem by 17th Century Unitarian minister and poet John Mason, music composed and performed by David W Solomons [aka the dwsChorale]. This particular setting was composed with a small mixed-ability choir in mind, so the voices are mainly in two parts ...  morePoem by 17th Century Unitarian minister and poet John Mason, music composed and performed by David W Solomons [aka the dwsChorale]. This particular setting was composed with a small mixed-ability choir in mind, so the voices are mainly in two parts (men's and women's voices), splitting to four parts (SATB) occasionally, where the words suggest it. The musical style is reminiscent of the 19th century although the piano part does go into 20th century style syncopation at times.  

"Let's sing, it's Spring!" is dedicated to my uncle and aunt, James and Daphne Shaw, and their amazing clan, the "Bowen Island Shaws." I have given this song the sub-title: "A Crazy Choral Etude for Rolled Rs and Perfect 5ths." It is meant, no pun inte...  more"Let's sing, it's Spring!" is dedicated to my uncle and aunt, James and Daphne Shaw, and their amazing clan, the "Bowen Island Shaws." I have given this song the sub-title: "A Crazy Choral Etude for Rolled Rs and Perfect 5ths." It is meant, no pun intended, to be a musical lark, great fun for a choir to sing, rolling Rs like crazy, with no holding back. NB: One day I woke up to the realization that I had independently written four choral works, each of which had evoked a different season, and so it seemed natural to group them together into a choral suite that I have called "The Ottawa Four Seasons Suite." "Let's sing, it's Spring!", with its rousing coda section, works perfectly as the closing number of this suite. Also of note, in early 2018, I applied to be a participant at one of the Vancouver Chamber Choir's Interplay workshops funded by the SOCAN Foundation and to my delight I was accepted. "Let's sing, it's Spring!" was one of the pieces that this amazing choir sight read for me on the sp...    less

This is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangeme...  moreThis is a jazzed-up version by David W Solomons (www.dwsolo.com) of the old 16th Century French tune which was used in G R Woodward's carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High"; it is great fun to sing. It is quite different from the more well-known arrangement and would make a nice change in a carol concert. The vocal parts here are all performed by Matthew Curtis (www.choraltracks.com) This is the mixed choir version (SAATBB) A version for men's voices is also available at http://www.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-85908_ding_dong_merrily_on_high_for_mixed_choir_or_for_men_s_voices.html#85908  less

This brand new version of Good King Wenceslas is dedicated to my uncle Duncan Shaw of Vancouver. His "retirement project" - developing his own theory of gravity - has been a huge inspiration in my own compositional journey late in life. Some background...  moreThis brand new version of Good King Wenceslas is dedicated to my uncle Duncan Shaw of Vancouver. His "retirement project" - developing his own theory of gravity - has been a huge inspiration in my own compositional journey late in life. Some background: I have sung the traditional version of Good King Wenceslas since I was a kid. I fell in love with the lyrics and the story, but have always been puzzled by the way it was arranged, in particular the way that the "las" of Wenceslas lands on the downbeat. When I was young, I thought the lyrics were actually "Good King Wences last looked out!" All to say that I got inspired to create a totally different version. I used the 19th century poem by John Mason Neale, but I wanted to create a different "feel" to the story, to take it back in time to its origins in the Middle Ages - hence the medieval feel to much of the piece. I also felt that since the Wenceslas story is all about a journey, a setting in 3/4 time would create a better sense of that feeling, ra...    less

Children choir "The Stars" Dečji hor "Zvezdice" Leskovac, Srbija Jelena Cvetković- dirigent Nikola Ilić- klavirska saradnja Zadužbina Ilije M. Kolarca- koncert "U RITMU EVROPE"

poem by Robert Burns music by David Dickau directed by Richard Janzen performed by RJC Chorale

Dorian mode setting of Psalm 23 by David W Solomons The Lord is my shepherd I shall lack nothing He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me along the still waters. He restores my soul and makes me walk within the paths of righteousness ...  moreDorian mode setting of Psalm 23 by David W Solomons The Lord is my shepherd I shall lack nothing He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me along the still waters. He restores my soul and makes me walk within the paths of righteousness for His name's sake Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale yet I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff comfort me still you have furnished my table in the presence of my foes my head you anoint with oil and my cup overflows Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me and my dwelling place shall be in God's house evermore.  less

5th Movement of Scott Perkins' The Stolen Child, performed by the Hofstra Chamber Choir, December 14, 2012 David Fryling, Conductor Poetry by W.B. Yeats When you are old and gray and full of sleep And nodding by the fire, take down this book, A...  more5th Movement of Scott Perkins' The Stolen Child, performed by the Hofstra Chamber Choir, December 14, 2012 David Fryling, Conductor Poetry by W.B. Yeats When you are old and gray and full of sleep And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft look Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep; How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true; But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face. And bending down beside the glowing bars, Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled And paced upon the mountains overhead, And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.  less

World premiere recording, by a brand new singing group: Quartetto al Volo! If you like this song, I invite you to donate to the work of OCISO (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) and their support programs for refugees and immigrants to Cana...  moreWorld premiere recording, by a brand new singing group: Quartetto al Volo! If you like this song, I invite you to donate to the work of OCISO (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) and their support programs for refugees and immigrants to Canada: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ociso-ottawa-community-immigrant-services-organization/ Background. In the 1970s I visited Poland twice and fell in love with Polish choral music -- and Lulajże Jezuniu became one of my favourite Christmas carols in any language. While flying from Ottawa to Vancouver in December 2017, I felt inspired and arranged most of this piece while at 30,000 feet! I must have been quite a sight conducting away in my aisle seat, with my head phones plugged into my computer. I have dedicated Lulajże Jezuniu to the late Adam and Helena Kmiotek, who showed me such generosity of spirit as my hosts in Szczecin during my second Polish trip. NB: choirs interested in obtaining copies of the TTBB score can contact me at rain...    less