Jeff Kaliss: Festival Napa Valley Showcases Singers at All Stages

“The Old Man in the Morning” elicited majestic vocal harmonies over a warmly wrought foundation of strings and harp.

For the oratorio-like “The Old Man in the Night,” Getty artfully works the different sections of the chorus, as well as the orchestra's horns, woodwinds, and mallet percussion. The urgent kineticism of the strings at times evoked Verdi. Lyrics were audible and elegantly sung.

“The Old Man in the Snow” was written by Getty in 2020 in memory of his wife. It calls back affectingly to earlier parts of the triptych, with the composer's trademark eddies and clarion calls musing over a naturalistic soundscape, all coordinated empathetically by Luke. “What we who knew and saw may stay to teach,” the chorale sang, “to strangers in the speech and song of men.” Anthemic, the music raised goose bumps appropriate to the composer's sentiment and to the approaching chill of Napa dusk.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford: Upon A Day: Verse and Other Writings (Book)

The language is rich and full of musical associations. As a musician, I appreciated the musical intonation and nuances in the language used. His penchant for the written word and the indelible depth of humanity is so much in keeping with some of the literary greats like Shakespeare, Whitman, and Ondaatje. Powerful stuff – entertaining, educational, and full of life.

Micah Andrew: Upon A Day: Verse and Other Writings (Book)

With the publication of “Upon A Day: Verse and Other Writings” Getty presents an impressive compendium of verse, program notes, and notes on the Four Libretti. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a formal Introduction and an Afterword by Getty, we are presented with a literary treasure of insights into an authentically gifted and distinctive poetic voice for our times.

An inherently fascinating read that is impressively well organized and presented, this hard cover edition of Gordon Getty's “Upon A Day: Verse and Other Writings” from Authority Publishing is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Contemporary Poetry collections and supplemental curriculum Contemporary Classical Music studies lists.

Nicole Yurcaba: Upon A Day: Verse and Other Writings (Book)

Musicality rings through each and every poem, essay, and dramatic piece in this book. Most evident, too, is a celebration of life and the art and literature that make it beautiful.

Claire Jackson: Gordon Getty: Goodbye, Mr. Chips (EP)

Soprano Marnie Breckenridge sweetly foreshadows the tragedy in ‘Chips darling it’s started’, a lyrical aria with colourful orchestration including harp and piano. This style is echoed in a later interlude, with melodic writing for strings, piano and tuned percussion.

  1. Jeff Kaliss: Youth Chorus Demonstrates Music’s Power at Festival Napa Valley
  2. Joanne Sydney Lessner: Goodbye, Mr. Chips
  3. Tiina Kiik: Primavera II: the rabbits – Matt Haimovitz
  4. Jeff Kaliss: Mr. Chips Makes a Winning Transition to Opera in a New Film San Francisco Classical Voice