LEONARD ENNS

by Leonard Enns

SSATB a cappella  –   CP 2166   – duration 4:05
From the composer: This piece was composed in the spring of 2020, during the early days of what was to become an extended shutdown because of the pandemic. I had set myself a personal project of writing a short choral work each week, as our social activities became restricted. My commitment lasted for about two months, while, unfortunately, the pandemic had much more staying power. A friend had pointed me to… [Rilke’s]Book of Hours. The Book of Hours comes out of Rilke’s first of two trips to Russia. Inspired both by the ubiquitous Orthodox iconography and the immense landscapes, and by his associations with Leo Tolstoy and other writers, Rilke sees nature and the world as a pantheistic consciousness slowly coming into existence. The text, written by Rilke in his mid-twenties (in 1900), seemed presciently relevant for our time. Ultimately, Rilke asks for “a little more time” before the earth returns to “forest, water, and flourishing wilderness.” This plea reflects his concept of the Divine, which is rooted very much in nature — what he refers to as “God” is a life force gradually coming into being — the dark is a beautiful and potent thing — hence “you darkening deep” in his opening line expresses the idea of a divine reality that is positive, emerging, and being constantly created.
There is certainly motivation in the idea that we are responsible for what is to come, that it is time for us to deal with the walls we have created, walls which limit the emerging divine creation; we are called, in Rilke’s words, to “love all things, as no one has loved them.” That challenge calls to us today, while the earth warms and warns around us. Yet, in his final lines, Rilke introduces a corrective to our hubris — it is not we who will ultimately do the “writing” of this new reality; our work is controlled by a greater Hand.

by Leonard Enns

SATB with organ/piano –   CP 2179   – duration 6:15
This glorious anthem raises the rafters with joy and optimism.

by Leonard Enns

SATB a cappella –   CP 2265   – duration 4:55

by Leonard Enns

SSA a cappella  –   CP 1224   – duration 2:30
Treble choirs; women or children, will really connect with this heartfelt expression.
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you,
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you 

by Leonard Enns

SSTB with piano  –   KH 041   – duration 2:50
Who is the life within the grain
Who gives the sun, who brings the rain?
And fills both dawn and dusk with praise?
Who is the dance in all our days?

by Leonard Enns with poetry by Rae Crossman

SATB a cappella – CP 1963 – duration 3:20

arr. by Leonard Enns

SATB with piano, optional strings  –   CP 1354   – duration 2:50  
Len has set this classic Canadian folk song to suit a mixed choir. (It’s usually from a cowboy’s point of view) 
A touch of country humor in the harmonies and accompaniment will endear the audience.
Listen to the laughter on this recording. The string players were holding their instruments like guitars.

Come and sit by my side if you love me. Do not hasten to bid me “adieu”.

optional string parts – $20 for the full set – sent via PDF files.

by Leonard Enns

SATB a cappella  –   CP 2244   – duration 6:43

by Leonard Enns

SATB a cappella  –   CP 1355   – duration 4:50
This Day is an exuberant anthem – perfect for any choir that wants to celebrate the rising of the sun and the joy of a fresh start each day. Diatonic voice leading into unique dissonances make this piece both approachable and exciting.

by Leonard Enns with poetry by Christian Rossetti

SATB a cappella  –  CP 1962   – duration 2:05