Eriks Ešenvalds - Selected Songs for Mixed Choir, Volume 1: SSATTBB Choir

Ešenvalds fills this collection with pieces that sit at the sweet spot between technical interest and genuine singability. Each work has a clear character and purpose, making them ideal for directors building concert programs that feel cohesive yet varied. You get substantial musical content in compact forms, which means your singers stay engaged without facing unreasonable rehearsal demands.

These pieces inhabit a space of quiet contemplation punctuated by moments of unexpected warmth. There's a Nordic sensibility throughout, with harmonic palettes that shimmer and shift rather than settle, creating a sense of gentle restlessness. Singers often find themselves surprised by how emotionally present these works become despite their apparent simplicity.

This anthology serves choirs with secure enough vocal control to handle mixed voicings and sophisticated harmonic language. Directors looking for shorter concert pieces that won't require months of rehearsal will find strong material here. It's equally valuable for ensembles preparing for competitions or festival appearances where distinctive, well-crafted repertoire sets you apart.

• Pay attention to breath placement even in legato passages; Ešenvalds often uses silence as an expressive tool, and premature breathing can disrupt the architectural integrity of a phrase.
• Balance the SSATTBB voicing by checking that your lower voices (especially the two tenor and two bass lines) aren't covering the soprano lines. These arrangements often feature delicate upper textures that should float.
• Let the text drive your tempo choices. Ešenvalds' settings respond well to the natural pacing of the language rather than mechanical metronomic adherence.
• Explore dynamics with precision. Many pieces use subtle gradations (not just loud and soft) to create the contemplative quality that defines his aesthetic.

Use this anthology as the backbone of a program exploring contemporary Baltic music, or scatter individual pieces throughout a traditional concert to introduce your audience to a living composer whose work they're likely to encounter again. Several pieces work beautifully as encore material or as part of a thematic concert (sacred/secular selections, seasonal programming, poetry settings). The variety within this single volume means you can build an entire second half of a concert from selections here without repetition of mood or style.

• Reading SSATTBB voicings with independent line clarity
• Sustaining legato singing through harmonic shifts and sustained notes
• Responding to text-driven phrasing and natural speech rhythm
• Balancing transparent mixed voicings where multiple parts move simultaneously
• Navigating contemporary harmonic language rooted in functional tonality
• Finding emotional nuance in works that favor subtlety over drama