In Early 2004, 27 choirs from around the world, but predominantly from the United States and New Zealand commissioned me to write five works for unaccompanied mixed choir. The texts, both sacred and secular were selected from a possible sixteen through a ballot among the participating choirs. By early 2005 the five songs were complete and already many of them had received several performances. The titles are:

And I Saw The River
As I Walked Along The Street
A Voice From Heaven
Reflection On Palm Sunday
The Spark's Farewell To Its Clay

     In early 2006, seeing the strong musical links that had without any conscious effort on my part, formed between the songs I decided to group them as a cycle. Their title O Fragile Human is taken from the text of the third song, by Hildegard of Bingen. While individual songs work perfectly well on their own, the synergy when the whole cycle is performed is clearly apparent.

     Here is a review of the premiere of the whole cycle in Washington DC.

     Please contact me if you would like to see a perusal score. I have now posted all the recordings I have received, and will update this page regularly.  

    I am very grateful to the choirs and choral directors who participated and supported this venture. Their names and contact details are below. I am also grateful to advisor Rose Campbell of Wellington who gave me guidance in arranging funding for this project through Creative New Zealand.

Review: "... a remarkably rich palette of colors and textures [handled] with astonishing restraint and delicacy" Read more

Scoring: extended SATB choir

Duration: ±25"
Difficulty: advanced

Commission: an international consortium funded by Creative New Zealand

World Premiere: The Woodley Ensemble director: Frank Albinder

World Premiere Recording: Released December 2010 by Arsis Records

Performance History: numerous performances of individual and groups of the songs - more

Recordings: I will continue to post recordings of this work here as they come to hand.

Scores: Please contact me if you would like a PDF perusal score or for information about performing this piece.