Stephen Mager: Composer -- Conductor

Concert works:

En plein air, contemplations on French paintings, for woodwind quintet and piano
Inspired by the art of Monet, Morisot, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Seurat.
Commissioned by the Equinox Chamber Players, Saint Louis, August 2018. In progress.

Tapestry of the Holy Birth, cantata after Michael Praetorius, for chorus and wind ensemble
Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville
and the AMC Air Force Band of  Mid-America. Premiered December, 1996.
Revised for SATB chorus and small orchestra, premiered December, 2016. Listen to excerpts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7DaOITLoIA&feature=youtu.be

Sarabande, for SATB chorus, strings, horn, timpani
Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, and dedicated to its founder,
Dr. William Heyne. Premiered at the Saint Louis Cathedral-Basilica, April, 2016.

Canticle of the Three Children (The Benedicite) for SSA chorus and piano
On a Biblical text from the Book of Daniel
Commissioned by the Notre Dame Children’s Chorus, premiered March 4, 2016.

“Dr. Mark Doerries led the Notre Dame Children’s and Youth Choirs in a spectacular concert on Friday, March 4th… The young people’s Winter Concert featured a newly commissioned work,  Benedicite: Canticle of the Three Children, by Dr. Stephen Mager, who accompanied the piece magnificently on the piano.” Peter Jeffery, The Weekender, March 7, 2016

Land of Rest, choral dance cycle, based on American folk hymns
for SATB chorus and piano [oboe and bassoon, ad libitum ]
Composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October, 2015.
Co-sponsored by a consortium, Friends of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saint Louis. Listen and watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5AFjrN11Gg

Hommage à Saint-Michel, for SATB chorus unaccompanied
A musical depiction of the famous Norman pilgrimage site, Mont Saint-Michel
Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, premiered May, 2014.

“The world premiere of a new commission by composer Stephen Mager was a highlight of the program – ‘Hommage à Saint-Michel,’ filled with lovely melodies and interesting effects.” Sarah Bryan Miller, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Serenade, for woodwind quintet
I. Nocturne – II. Scherzo (Samba) – III. Phantasy – IV. Finale
Commissioned by the Equinox Chamber Players, Saint Louis, premiered May, 2014.

Te Deum for soprano solo, SATB chorus, and organ [2012] - Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, premiered April 29, 2012. Listen:

Movement I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-VXzLLQ2To

Movement II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtNB9Sts2WI&feature=relmfu

Movement III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2feSpcjoyoc&feature=relmfu

Movement IV: http://youtu.be/zpYobyswZzY

Missa Lucis, Mass for soprano solo, SATB chorus, and chamber orchestra [2008] - Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, premiered May 4, 2008

“Lushly lyrical, ‘Missa Lucis’ has some lovely writing.  At times reminiscent of John Rutter, at other times offering a hint of Olivier Messiaen, Mager keeps things interesting and accessible.  His choral writing shows a good understanding of the vocal forces available to him.  There were some beautiful soloistic passages for the violin and flute…” Sarah Bryan Miller, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Lamb’s High Feast, choral cycle for mixed chorus, a cappella [2006] - Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, premiered May, 2006

Dream of the Pacific, opera in one act [2004] - Co-commissioned by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Opera Omaha for the Lewis and Clark bicentennial, premiered February, 2004

“The opera itself, with a score by composer Stephen Mager…scores a hit. …The music is always skillfully made and often eloquent… Mager excels at conveying a wide variety of feelings – affection, sentiment, exuberance, doubt, pain, deepest satisfaction – all in a musical language that is both lyrical and comprehensible.” Tim Page, The Washington Post.

I Saw Eternity, for solo quartet, SATB chorus, solo violin, and piano [2005] - Commissioned by the Bach Society of Saint Louis, premiered May, 2005

“‘I saw eternity,’ subtitled ‘Reflections on a Bach Chorale,’ was lovely and accessible, a deserving piece of music…” Sarah Bryan Miller, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Illuminations, song cycle for soprano, piccolo and harp [2002] - Composed for Saint Louis Symphony flutist Jan Gippo, premiered April, 2002. Listen to brief excerpts (tracks 6-11, courtesy of Amazon.com) from a recording by Janice Fiore, soprano; Lois Bliss Herbine, piccolo; and Sophie Bruno Labiner, harp.

“The disc [also includes] the recently composed Illuminations, a wonderfully original song cycle by Stephen Mager based on texts in archaic English … Though soprano Janice Fiore isn’t the ideal interpreter, the piccolo and harp contributions by Lois Bliss Herbine and Sophie Bruno Labiner are models of color-driven expression.” David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com. [CD review]

“Mager’s Salterello is attractive…” Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International. [CD review]

“Perhaps the most intriguing work on the program is Illuminations… by Stephen Mager. The six pieces of the cycle are settings of medieval manuscripts in Middle English and French touching on themes of love, absence, loss and resignation. The music combines medieval forms, rhythms, and melodic formulas with pleasantly modern harmonies, including polytonality. The three performers demonstrate loving and confident commitment to the score in this alluring performance.” James Hildrith, The American Organist. [CD review]

Voices of Terezìn, Incidental music for piano solo, in six movements,
to accompany readings of poetry from young Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
Sponsored by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, part of a production of Hans Krasà’s Brundibàr.
Premiered in October, 1997.

Sinfonia Pastorale, for soprano soli, SATB chorus, and orchestra [1995/1998] - Commissioned by the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered December, 1995; revised 1998

“The music [has] a painterly quality to it. The orchestration is complex and colorful, and the music is inclined to linger over beautiful images… [Mager] writes gratefully for the voice…” Philip Kennicott, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Celtic settings:

Sweet Nightingale, Cornish folksong setting for SATB chorus a cappella, composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October 15, 2017

The Widow’s Lament, Cornish folksong setting for soprano solo and SATB chorus a cappella, composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October 15, 2017

Suo-Gân (“Sleep, My Baby”)  Welsh lullaby, setting for SATB chorus a cappella, composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October 15, 2017

Helygen (“The Willow Tree”), Cornish folksong setting for SATB chorus a cappella, composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October 15, 2017

Saint Columba (“The King of Love”) Irish folk melody, setting for treble chorus and piano; arranged for for SATB chorus a cappella, , composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered October 15, 2017

Recent carol settings:

Stephen Mager’s setting of three French carols went well beyond mere arrangements; the “Noël de la Vièrge” had a simple dignity and deft orchestral touch that set it above the usual holiday fare.” Philip Kennicott, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Patapan [ attr. Bernard de la Monnoye], carol setting for treble chorus and small orchestra [2017], Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 10, 2017

Huron Carol (traditional French melody) carol setting for treble chorus and small orchestra [2017], Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 10, 2017

Il est né, le divin Enfant, [music of Gabriel Fauré] orchestrated for small orchestra, performed 10 December, 2017, by the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville

Bleak Midwinter [melody by Gustav Holst], carol setting for chorus and small orchestra [2016], composed for soprano Christine Brewer and the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered December 11, 2016

Go Tell It on the Mountain [African-American spiritual], carol setting for chorus and small orchestra [2016], composed for soprano Christine Brewer and the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered December 11, 2016

Bethlehem Carol (“A Virgin unspotted”), original carol for treble chorus and chamber orchestra,      Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 13, 2015

Joseph est bien marié [medieval French noel], carol setting for chorus and small orchestra [2014], Composed for the Masterworks Chorale and Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 14, 2014

Grace soît renduë [traditional French noel], carol setting for chorus and small orchestra [2014], Composed for the Masterworks Chorale and Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 14, 2014

Holiest Night [traditional Austrian carol], Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville, 1993, orchestrated 2013

Noël nouvelet, carol setting for chorus and small orchestra [2011] - Composed for the Masterworks Children’s Chorus, Belleville, premiered December 11, 2011

Divinum mysterium, processional carol for chorus and small orchestra [2011] - Composed for the Masterworks Chorale, Belleville, premiered December 11, 2011

Carol of the Holy Child for soprano solo, SATB chorus, a cappella [2011] - Commissioned by the Saint Louis Christmas Carols Association, premiered November, 2011

Resonet in Laudibus, carol setting for SSATB chorus a cappella [2009] - Commissioned by Canton High School, Canton, Illinois, premiered December 12, 2009

Dialogue of the Shepherds, carol setting for SATB chorus and orchestra [2008] - Commissioned by First Presbyterian Church, Davenport, Iowa, premiered December, 2008

Fanfare on “Angels We Have Heard on High,” for trumpet and organ [2007] - Commissioned by Matt Bear for the wedding of his niece, premiered December, 2007

O Come Divine Messiah, carol setting for SATB chorus and orchestra [2004]  - Commissioned by Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY, premiered December 2004

Let Our Gladness Have No End, carol setting for SATB chorus & orchestra [2004] – Commissioned by Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY,  premiered December 2004

See a comprehensive listing of Christmas carol settings for chorus and orchestra.

Church and occasional pieces:

Fantasia on Duke Street, hymn concertato [2011] for SATB chorus and organ (treble chorus, solo trumpet and handbells ad lib.) - Commissioned by Bartlett United Methodist Church, Memphis, premiered October, 2011

My Heart Was Glad (Psalm 122), anthem for SATB chorus and organ [2010] - Commissioned by Debra Neustadt in honor of the Rev. Ronald Neustadt, retiring pastor of Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois, premiered August 29, 2010

Cantilena, for violin, ’cello, and organ [2007] - Commissioned by Matt Bear for the wedding of his niece, premiered December, 2007

Hymn to Saint Peter, anthem for SATB chorus and organ [2007] - Commissioned by Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Kirkwood, Missouri, premiered August, 2007

O Praise Ye the Lord, hymn and concertato for SATB chorus and organ [2006] - Commissioned by the Wicks Organ Company in observance of its centennial, premiered 2006

O Taste and See, anthem for SATB chorus and organ (solo soprano ad lib.) [2005] - Composed for the birthday observance of the Rev. Edward Schroeder, Bethel Lutheran Church, Saint Louis, premiered November 6, 2005

Holy Manna, Communion service on American folk melodies [2004/2005] for congregation and piano (additional instruments ad lib.) – Composed for Bethel Lutheran Church, Saint Louis, premiered November 14, 2004

Hymn harmonizations and arrangements for congregation and organ - Composed for Bethel Lutheran Church, Saint Louis

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed [FREUT EUCH, IHR LIEBEN]

Christ, the Life of All the Living [JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN]

On My Heart Imprint Your Image [DER, AM KREUZ]

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth [AN WASSERFLÜSSEN BABYLON]

Christ the Lord is Ris’en Today, Alleluia [LLANFAIR]

Christ the Lord is Ris’en Today [ORIENTIS PARTIBUS]

Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain [GAUDEAMUS PARTITER]

Now the Green Blade Rises [NOËL NOUVELET]

I Bind Unto Myself Today [SAINT PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE]

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence [PICARDY]

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing [SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT]

Let Us Break Bread Together (spiritual)

I Come, O Savior, to Your Table [ICH STERBE TÄGLICH]

Come, Let Us Eat [A VA DE]

O Lord, We Praise You [GOTT SEI GELOBET UND GEBENEDEIET]

Sent Forth By God’s Blessing [THE ASH GROVE]

Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness [SCHMÜCKE DICH]

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty [UNSER HERRSCHER]

Jesus Sinners Will Receive [MEINEM JESUM LASS ICH NICHT]

Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart [HERZLICH LIEB]

I Leave, as You Have Promised, Lord [MIT FRIED UND FREUD]

Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing [TRURO]

Come Follow Me, the Savior Spake [MACHS MIT MIR, GOTT]

The King of Love, My Shepherd Is [SAINT COLUMBA]

Lord of All Hopefulness [SLANE]

Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus [LASSET UNS MIT JESU SIEHEN]

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing [NETTLETON]

Come Down, O Love Divine [DOWN AMPNEY]

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise [SAINT DENIO]

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven [LAUDA ANIMA]

O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing [AZMON]