Hartenshield Group Publishes Major Choral Work
Lovelife Dances by William Copper
December, 2001, the Hartenshield Group, Inc. announces publication of Lovelife Dances by William Copper. This major choral work, for a mixed chorus and piano, 4 hands, is the first work of Copper's to achieve widespread recognition. Initial interest from choruses around the world, even before publication and before recordings are available, has been extraordinary.
Like its model, the Liebeslieder Waltzes of Johannes Brahms, Lovelife Dances is a set of songs for a chorus with two pianists playing together at one piano. Copper's Lovelife Dances uses texts from hundreds of years of English poetry, ranging from excerpts from the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, to an excerpt from mid-20th century American poet James Merrill.
Commenting on Lovelife Dances, his Opus #49, Copper said, "This is the first of my compositions to have stirred world-wide interest. Though I have been composing for many years, this work is the first to achieve recognition as finding a good balance between accessibility and musical power. It is not particularly difficult to sing or play, and its melodies, rhythms, and choice of texts, seem to speak well to a broad range of audiences. This is judging by review comments from conductors and other composers, since the premiere is not scheduled until 2003." The premiere will take place April 25, 2003, by the Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids, directed by Larry G. Biser.
William Copper, of Wilmington, a composer of orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal music, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Eastman School of Music, and the Krakow Poland Higher School of Music. His composition teachers were some of the most well-known contemporary composers in the world, including George Crumb, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Joseph Schwantner.
More information about William Copper, please see his publisher's bio or the narrative bio with photo, selected works, and contact information