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American Perspective One A duo for violoncello and pianoforte, American Perspective One is an intentionally eclectic work written to showcase varying styles and types of American music. The work also exploits the wide array of sounds and performance techniques available on the violoncello. The work’s eclecticism is personified by walking bass, jazz, rock, quartal and tertian harmonic sections, some “Gershwin-esque” writing in the piano, and the American folk hymns Shall We Gather at the River and Simple Gifts. Chester Variations Chester Variations was written in 1992 for cellist David Low. The work is a set of free variations based on the famous hymn tune. It exploits the technical and dynamic aspects of the performer while focusing on the expressive nature of the violoncello. Homage To Thomas Campion Homage to Thomas Campion is based on Berkey’s choral piece View Me, Lord, A Work Of Thine. Since the text was from English poet and composer Thomas Campion (1567-1610), the composition bears the poet’s name. Jackson’s romantic setting interweaves the trumpet solo with contrasting ranges and colors in the piano accompaniment. |
The Jackson Berkey Harp Book
Two volumes of harp solos adapted or arranged by concert harpist Kathy Bundock Moore (University of Northern Colorado, Greeley). In direct collaboration with Jackson Berkey, Ms. Moore has created beautiful harp settings of pieces written by the composer in other genres. The two volumes and their corresponding titles are listed below. The entire set is also pristinely recorded on SDG Records! Nature Of The World
Four Lullabies For Harp
North Atlantic Suite Dedicated to the composer’s long-time friend and colleague, cellist David Low, this is a setting of the nine Cape May Preludes for cello and piano. The Preludes were written on the composer’s first sabbatical at Cape May, New Jersey, America’s oldest seaside resort. The titles carry us through a day with the composer at the well-known Colvmns By The Sea Bed and Breakfast, right on the oceanfront. |