Robert S. Cohen | composer
SSA/SSAA Choir
SATB, ACCOMPANIED | SATB, A CAPPELLA | SSA/SSAA | TTBB | CHILDREN’S | MAJOR WORKS
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A Child’s Evening Prayer (2017)
SSA, piano
Duration: c. 4'
A setting of the famous Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem that became the basis for “Now I lay me down to sleep.” – A winner of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir’s 50th anniversary international composition contest.
Ain’t I A Woman (2020)
SSAA, piano
Duration: c. 5'
A kick-ass tribute to the Suffragist Movement on the 100 anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment, the text by Ronald W. Cadmus calls upon historically accurate events and individuals who played a part in passing this historic addition to the Constitution.
The Beauty of Life (2014)
SSA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 3'
A setting of a poem by Ronald W. Cadmus that champion’s the need to protect the environment for future generations by exploring all the beauty of the world around us.
Christmas Time (2010)
SSA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 3'
Another of the composer’s setting of Christina Rossetti Christmastide poems about the wonders of Christmas (originally titled “Christmas Eve").
Eight: The Story of Hanukkah (2023)
SSA, clarinet, piano (also SATB)
Durtion: c. 4'
A work for Chorus, Clarinet & Piano with a text by Nanci K. Bern. Also arranged for clarinet quintet.
To be premiered October 2023 by the Namaste Quintet in Perugia Italy.
Eternity is Forever (2018)
SSAA, a cappella (also SATB)
Duration: c. 5'
The ethereal sounds in this setting of a Ronald W. Cadmus poem lift us to thoughts of eternity and mystery. When quiet breath ceases, and the heart slows, there is eternity. Love never ends. Light forever shines. It is faith that gives us hope and reveals its mystery that through the dark unknown comes the mystery of morn.
Good Night and Good Morning (2017)
SSA, piano
Duration: c. 3'
Intimate words of British poet Richard Monckton Milnes join with charmed music in this delightful ballad of exquisite beauty.
Hosanna, Hosanna (2023)
SSA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 3'
Using the simple text "Hosanna in excelsis," the musical setting explores styles from classical to modern while playing with syllabic emphasis to create different textures that showcase part independence and musical variety.
I Am A Face (2023)
SSAA, Solo, and piano (also SATB, TTBB)
Duration: c. 5'
I Am A Face conveys the message that there is a story to the faces we see before us. Faces, that yearn to be noticed, accepted, loved, affirmed for the uniqueness of who they are.
Lullaby (2013)
SSA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 4'
This setting of a lovely poem by Louisa May Alcott (“Little Women”) uses lovely images of nature to describe onset of night.
My Singing Bird (2008)
SSA, a cappella
Duration: c. 3'
The melody of this traditional Irish folk ballad begins in unison and then cascades into a contrapuntal wordless vocalise that mirrors the imagery of the text expressing a dialogue of love and joy – a wonderful opportunity for poetic exploration of meaning.
On this Magical Night (2017)
SSA, piano, (optional glockenspiel)
Duration: c. 3'
Simple intertwining vocal lines form a gentle counterpoint above lovely, lyrical music and support thoughts of the beauty we see in the world each and every day. A beautiful expression of the wonders of nature.
Safe Places of the Heart (2016)
SSAA, piano (also SATB, TTBB, Orchestrated version available)
Duration: c. 5'
Moving anthem with a text by Ronald W. Cadmus written as a tribute to the survivors and victims of the 2016 PULSE Nightclub massacre.
Winner of the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Choir 25th Anniversary composition competition.
Premiered by the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Choir on YouTube.
Serenade (2016)
SSAA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. ??
A setting of am Edgar Allen Poe poem. Also available in an SATB a cappella Premiered May 2016 by Agnes Scott College.
Sleep, Little Baby, Sleep (2010)
SSA, piano (also SATB, SAB, TTBB)
Duration: c. 3'
A setting of a Christina Rossetti Christmastide poem. Also available in an SATB a cappella version along with SAB; also arranged for horn, string quartet & chamber orchestra.
Performed by Albany Pro Musica, David Griggs-Janower, Conductor.
Stardate 101 (2018)
SSAA, piccolo, piano, synth (or harp), glockenspiel, vibraphone, percussion (also SATB)
Duration: c. 6'
Commissioned by the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, Stardate 101, with an original text by the composer, is a cautionary tale of what the future of the Earth may be if we do not heed environmental concerns.
Premiered at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia June 24, 2018.
Stay In Time (2013)
SSSSAAAA, piano, woodblocks (also SSAATTBB)
Duration: c. 5'
This exciting and energetic show piece with a text by the composer explores a myriad of references to time employing both pitched and non-pitched vocal sounds.
The Gift of Dreams to Dream (2020)
SSA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 3'
Setting of a lovely text by Ronald W. Cadmus about the gift of dreams to dream.
The Peaceful Sound of Silent Stars (2024)
SSAA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 5'
This is a choral setting of a wonderful poem by Ronald W. Cadmus about the birth of stars and looking to the beauty of the heavens to find inner peace.
Wind (2014)
SSAA, piano (also SATB)
Duration: c. 4'
Setting of an original text by the composer that uses picturesque musical elements underscored by a propulsive piano accompaniment to express the nature and importance of wind.
Winter Time (2019)
SSAA, 2 handbells, vocal sounds (also SATB)
Duration: c. 4'
This beautiful poem by Robert Louis Stevenson employs a myriad number of images to evoke the sights and sounds of winter. To add to the setting, the composer uses vocal and physical sound effects: whistling for wind and crumbled paper for fire.