SID ROBINOVITCH

by  Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella  –  CP 1826    – duration 8:45
The complete set:  1) The Coming of Teddy Bears  2) The Wizard  3) Deeper
These compositions are also available individually (listen below)
Dennis Lee began writing for children as part of his goal of “Reclaiming language and liberating imagination”; his poems are about the language and activities of the daily lives of children, expanded into the realm of imaginary play and fantasy.

by  Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella  – CP 1724  – duration 2:15
Dennis Lee’s bedtime poem is given a scrumptious setting with long lines, intuitive voice leading, sweet-spot vocal registers and sensual harmonies.  Approachable for most SATB choirs, this piece would make a touching conclusion to any program.

by  Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella  –  CP 1746 – duration 3:30
Enjoy this rollicking poem by Canada’s foremost poet for children, Dennis Lee. Sid Robinovitch’s composition aptly illustrates the crazy text with up tempo rhythm and bluesy motifs.

by  Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella  –  CP 1747 –  duration 3:00
It seems that Dennis Lee was deep in thought when he wrote this poignant poem and Sid must have been in a similar mood to give it such a lovely setting.

by Sid Robinovitch

SATB with piano, bass, and percussion – CP 2479 – duration 23:00
“Jonah – a musical retelling for young people of the biblical story of Jonah  – for SSA Chorus, Narrator, Piano, Percussion and Double Bass.”

• Nine Movements tell the story
• Percussion set includes: Bass Drum, Temple Blocks, Shaker, Tam Tam. Suspended Cymbal, Bongos (3)
• Double Bass

JONAH – SYNOPSIS

     Jonah, prophet of Israel, is commanded to warn the inhabitants of Nineveh that if they do not repent of their evil ways they will be destroyed. But Jonah refuses to heed God’s command.  Instead, he saddles up his trusty donkey and proceeds to the port of Joppa where he finds a ship to the fabled land of Tarshish.
On the way to Tarshish the ship encounters a fierce storm. Jonah tells the sailors that he is responsible for the storm because he tried to run from the word of the Lord, and urges them to throw him overboard to calm the seas. The sailors try to row the ship to land, but the storm overpowers them and in the end they follow Jonah’s instruction and throw him into the sea.
A great fish swallows Jonah and he dwells in the belly of the fish praying to God to save him. After three days and three nights the fish spits him out onto a nearby shore.
God speaks to Jonah a second time repeating his command that Jonah go to Nineveh to tell the people to repent. This time, Jonah obeys God’s order. The Ninevites hear his words and repent of their evil ways. God changes his mind and preserves the city.
But Jonah is greatly displeased. He knew that God was merciful and would spare the Ninevites. From a vantage point outside of the city gates, Jonah laments the loss of a vine that had shaded him from the sun.  Then God says to him: “You weep over the loss of a vine which came into being and perished in a night.  Should I not be concerned about the simple people of Nineveh, not to mention all the innocent animals that dwell in their midst?”
With this revelation, Jonah realizes that God’s mercy extends to all creatures – great and small.

by Sid Robinovitch

SATB with keyboard or a cappella – CP 1281 – duration 4:20
(other vocal settings – for men’s choir and women’s choir – are in progress – see below)
Psalm 23 was commissioned by the Royal Canadian College of Organists and first presented at the 2004 Winnipeg Organ Festival.  It exists in several different forms, allowing wide flexibility in performance.  The vocal harmonies are complete unto themselves so that it can be performed a cappella or with organ or piano accompaniment. There are versions in English for SATB, SA, and TB choirs and also a version for SATB using the original Hebrew text.  Here is what the Winnipeg Free Press reviewer said about the premiere:

“A true highlight of the program has to be Manitoba composer Sid Robinovitch’s Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd, one of the commissioned works. Just when you think you’ve heard every possible version of this most famous psalm, Robinovitch comes along with this charming and very listenable rendering. It had drama, varying colors and moods and was simply lovely. The tenors and basses sang it through the first time, showing good balance. The women joined them for the repeat and with the organ (which has as important a role as the singers in this piece), presented a stirring new hymn that deserves to become a tradition.” (Gwenda Nemerofsky, July 20, 2004)

arr. Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella – CP 2148 – duration 1:55
The story of “One Little Goat” is based on a traditional song that dates back at least to the 17th century, sung and enjoyed all over the world (especially by children!) at the end of the Jewish Passover meal. The song is from the point of view of a child whose father buys a little goat for two pennies – and then…. well!  The things that happen!
Sid’s arrangement is upbeat and great fun!

arr. Sid Robinovitch

SATB a cappella – available in English or Hebrew; 5 movements available separately or as a set
1) Praise – duration 1:55
2) Sing – duration 1:30
3) Lament – duration 3:25
4) Rejoice – duration 2:25
5) Reflect – duration 2:30
– COMPLETE SET (all 5 mvts) – duration 12:30

arr. Sid Robinovitch

SATB with piano – CP 2267 – duration 9:30
1) Way, Haul Away – details below
2) Drunken Sailor – details below
3) Lillibulero – details below

arr. Sid Robinovitch

SATB with piano – CP 2168 – duration 2:40
Way, haul away, we’ll haul away the bowlin’
Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.
Way haul away, the packet is a-rollin,’
Way haul away, we’ll haul away Joe.

arr. Sid Robinovitch

SATB with piano – CP 2182 – duration 3:05

by Sid Robinovitch
1) Thanksgiving Upon Awakening (mvt #1) – duration 2:35
2) Funeral Oration (mvt #2) – duration 1:45
3) Song of Protest (mvt #3) – duration 1:50
4) On the Death of the Child (mvt #4) – duration 3:25
5) Advent of the Messiah (mvt #5) – duration 2:55

Movements are available separately – or as a set.