Jackson Berkey's 24 Nocturnes
New 2 Disc CD Release!
Jackson Berkey
Night Pieces - Nocturnes - have inspired beauty, romanticism, and deep expression for many composers. Composing 24 Nocturnes, one in each major and relative minor key, was an exciting 7-year journey for Berkey, culminating in September 2014 with his Nocturne in C Minor. Many of Berkey's Nocturnes emulate existing keyboard works from some of his favorite composers of the last four centuries. Jackson Berkey's 24 Nocturnes bears a dedication to the memory of Josef Raieff, Jackson's mentor at the Juilliard School in NYC. The influence of this great artist teacher on Berkey's career is ever deep and life-lasting.
SDG CD015 $15.00
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21st Century Romantic
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS FOR SOLO PIANO AND DUO PIANOS FROM SDG RECORDS
Jackson Berkey
21st Century Romantic is the first of a planned series of recordings documenting the Jackson Berkey composition catalog, along with existing performances not available commercially. SDG Records hopes eventually to archive all of Berkey’s compositions as well as his past recorded performances.
This 2-Disc set is dedicated to Phillip Erklen and the International Music Syndicate. Because of Phil’s dedicated and consistent promotion of Berkey recordings and publications, Jackson’s music has been introduced to a myriad of performers and pedagogues.
DISC 1
RAINYDARK & FIRELIGHT (Berkey)
TIME TWISTERS (Berkey)
Samba-Rhumba Walla-Walla
Sakura
Delaware Bay Ice
Beach Caterpillar
Bernadette’s Salsa Egg Dish
VIVALDI’S WINTER (Berkey)
NOCTURNES (selections)
Nr. 5 in D Major, Dorian – Sunny Blues
Nr. 12 in G-sharp Minor – Homage to Sergei Rachmaninoff
Nr. 22 in G Minor
Nr. 23 in F Major
Nr. 24 in D Minor
DISC 2
SUITE FOR TWO PIANOS (Berkey)
Flying High
Rainydark & Firelight
Fading Memories
PLAYIN’ IN THE BUFF (Berkey) (Solo Harpsichord)
JJ’S TOY BOX (Berkey)
The Crashers
Night Shore Fog
Dancing with Wolfie
A Minor Incident
THE JACKSON BERKEY
PERFORMANCE ARCHIVES (1988)
Ludwig van Beethoven Sonata in E Major, Opus 109
Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo
Prestissimo
Gesangvoll, mit innigster empfindung
SDG CD091-2 $15.00
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American Shadows
A BEAUTIFUL CHORAL PORTRAIT OF AMERICA
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
Almeda Berkey conducts the singers of Nebraska's Professional Chorale, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum, in a beautiful sampling of music from different times and places in America. From Alice Parker's setting of New England's Wondrous Love to the Civil War's Tenting Tonight and the 19th Century's Amazing Grace, the Cantorum's rich vocal timbre soars. James Erb's gently rolling Shenandoah sets the stage for the African-American Spiritual Soon-ah Will Be Done by William Dawson. Then a jump to California for the rousing Sacramento-Sis Joe and back to the Midwest for Native American Phillip White Hawk's Hold On!South Dakota Shadows opens with a beautiful love song that sets the stage for this extended choral tone poem. Berkey weaves a tapestry of words and music ranging from the Scandinavian choral tradition: Indian Summer and Evening Shadows - to Jazz: Mercy Song - Country: Turkeys and Badger's - and chorus with piano quintet: Requiem for a Pioneer Mother. As an instrumental centerpiece, Boxing with Snowflakes evokes powerful feelings. Almeda's sensitive, guiding spirit brings the Cantorum and The Cat's Meow (instrumental ensemble) to heights that surpass the hopes and aspirations of any composer. The corporate expression of the singers is far greater than any of its single parts and simply has to be heard to be fully appreciated!
SDG CD961 $10.00
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Arma Lucis
THE RECORDING THAT STARTED IT ALL!
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
The first recording from SDG Records and the premiere performance and recording from Almeda Berkey and Nebraska's Professional Chorale, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum. Also included are five wonderful arrangements from the Berkeys' mentor, Norman Luboff. Choral masterpieces over the centuries round out this first opus from the Cantorum.
This premiere recording of Arma Lucis has served as a model for hundreds of performances of this 12-minute a cappella work that is fast establishing itself in the standard choral repertoire. The Detroit Concert Choir's July 1996 performance of Arma Lucis at the Eisteddfod Festival in Wales won them the title, Choir of the World. We at SDG Records send our heartiest congratulations to Gordon Nelson and his fine singers!
SDG CD89 $10.00
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Arvo the Magnificat
Arvo is definitely a MagnifiCAT!!
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
Yes! ARVO is the name of our Birman cat. And the CD recording does include Arvo Pärt's Magnificat. And they DO say MagnifiCAT in Canada! This mostly-classical offering from Almeda Berkey and Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum features a sampling of music over the centuries plus two works from Jackson Berkey's published catalog: God Be In My Head and the compelling Native American Ambiances for Native American Flute, Mixed Chorus, Natural Environmental Sounds and Percussion. You'll love the natural sounds of wolves and wind; birds and running water; Native American Flute and voices!
Also featured, the Sacred Songs of Swedish composer August Söderman. This Walton publication, introduced in the United States by the late Norman Luboff, has been available for many years now, but the Cantorum's recording is the first! Almeda Berkey's reading includes Jackson's double string quartet setting of the original organ part.
SDG CD941 $10.00
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Atlantic Fantasy
NEW SOLO PIANO WORKS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Jackson Berkey
The featured keyboard artist from Mannheim Steamroller scores again with this stunning new recording of his original keyboard works. Jackson Berkey’s colorfully descriptive piano music from Cape May, New Jersey continues on this pristinely recorded CD from SDG Records. Atlantic Fantasy and its companion pieces, Cape May Solitudes, were written between 1999 and 2003 during Jackson’s writing sabbaticals at “Colvmns By The Sea”, a former B&B in Cape May, New Jersey. This new SDG CD, along with its correlated publications from SDG Press®, brings new major works to the piano repertoire of the 21st Century.
Jackson Berkey’s performances reveal a mature artist and composer, often in a very contemplative, reflective mood. The title work, Atlantic Fantasy, is comprised of six sections, seamlessly connected in a 20-minute, masterful display of pianism. The composer’s collection of reminiscences, Cape May Solitudes, provides deep reflections on those parts of our lives no longer with us. People, places, and pets are brought to life through music combined with the natural sounds of the Atlantic ocean, winter winds, seagulls, and the return of the L’Ultima Amor chimes from the composer-pianist’s earlier CD, Cape May Preludes.
SDG CD041 $10.00
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Berkey meets Horowitz on the 503
A DOCUMENTATION OF SOUND AND SCORE
Jackson Berkey
It was the summer of 1992 and Vladimir Horowitz' personal Steinway Concert Grand was on tour at Steinway dealers across the United States. The piano is called CD503. C, Steinway's indication that it is from their concert group of instruments throughout the world; D designating the size; and 503, the last 3 digits of the instrument's serial number.
As it happened, Jackson was engaged by the Omaha Steinway dealer to give a concert on this famous instrument. Why not record an album, too? Preceding the concert, on July 4th, in spite of the firecrackers, the instrument was moved to Sound Recorders where Jackson and his long-time producer-engineer, Clete Baker, worked to capture its sound. Repertoire for the recording of course included the work to be premiered in the concert following: Jackson Berkey's Piano Derivations. The composer's song cycle, Voices from the Earth was also recorded, and sequenced with American Perspective One on the historic album.
This was the last recording made on this great instrument. And it can be yours from SDG Records!
SDG CD503 $10.00
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Cantate 2000
THE JOURNEY IN BEAUTY CONTINUES...
Seattle Girls Choir
Once again the Seattle Girls' Choir pairs with wonderful new music by Jackson Berkey
I have been collaborating directly with Jerome Wright and the Seattle Girls' Choir for many years. Numerous works in my treble catalog have been written with their distinctive sound uppermost in my mind. It was during my first Seattle visit with Jerry that I decided to do a treble choir setting of my song cycle, Voices From The Earth. My Ave dulcissima Maria, written as a "thanksgiving" for their marvelous work on my music over the years, is premièred in this recorded collection. Featured is the title work, Cantate 2000. Commissioned in 2000 by the combined Phoenix Boys Choir and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, it is here recorded for the first time with orchestra. -Jackson Berkey
The relationship Seattle Girls' Choir and I have established with Jackson Berkey continues to flourish. Each new and exciting collaboration propels us into fresh and increasingly beautiful artistic frontiers. We are successfully exploring the potentials of the beautiful vocal instrument known as the treble choir...The world of treble choirs is forever enriched because of the elegant repertoire - present and future - Jackson Berkey provides. -Jerome Wright, Ph.D
SDG CD201 $10.00
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Cantorum Christmas!
SING THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
Cantorum Christmas! was just recorded during the summer of 1997 and is still in its early editing stages. Why another recording of carols? Jackson Berkey's Anniversary Carols are as unusual as they are familiar. Berkey's surprises in rhythm, meter, voicing and harmonies bring refreshing sparkle to these familiar melodies, presenting you, the listener, with songs that are at once dear and traditional, yet delightfully new again.
Almeda Berkey again draws superb singing from the voices of Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum in this Christmas work that has been compared to the Britten Ceremony of Carols. And no wonder! The instrumentation is for solo harp (with SDG Records artist Kathy Bundock Moore) with occasional tambour, finger cymbals, triangle and bass viol. Instrumental combinations highlight the voices in unexpected surprises: imagine the French carol, Il est né flavoured with the texture of a bolero. Or in keeping with the composer's diverse background, think of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen with a Mannheim Steamroller/Renaissance backbeat on the harp! Look for choral influences of Arvo Pärt in The Silent Word. Sound intriguing? Watch and listen for it during the 1998 Holiday Season!
SDG CD981 $10.00
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Cape May Preludes
...TAKES US THROUGH A DAY AT CAPE MAY.
Jackson Berkey
CAPE MAY PRELUDES takes the listener to Cape May, New Jersey, one of our nation's oldest seaside resorts. It is here that Mannheim Steamroller pianist Jackson Berkey takes an annual one-month composing sabbatical in quiet residence at the 100-year old "Colvmns By The Sea". Cape May is almost totally deserted in January with most of her stores, hotels and restaurants closed following the hectic Christmas and New Year's holidays. Colvmns By The Sea is no exception, although the family there lovingly receives Jackson for the month of January. Content to live in complete quiet and solitude, the composer's time at the Colvmns provides him the perfect writing environment. He often remarks that only the sound of the ocean interrupts his creative thoughts. The sea plays an important role in CAPE MAY PRELUDES. Solo piano pieces are always interspersed with sounds of the Atlantic Ocean, heard by the composer through his room windows, almost always left open during his stay. Also premiering on CD are three sets of Wesley Picotte Windchimes. These immaculately tuned instruments appear throughout the CD and are compelling in their beauty. Jackson plays them both as solo instruments and in unstructured combinations with the sea and the piano.
SDG CD2000 $10.00
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Gaudete the natural state of man is joy
MUSIC TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
Gaudete -The Natural State of Man is Joy features the first commercially available recording of the wonderful Gaudete by Swedish composer, Anders Ohrwall. First introduced in the United States by Norman Luboff, the Berkeys championed it through performances at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Further readings and concerts by the Cantorum led to its being the centerpiece for this Christmas album.
Gaudete, the Cantorum's second CD for SDG Records, also includes music of Christmas and Advent and features three of Jackson's Anniversary Carols. Selections by Rachmaninoff, Victoria, Bruckner, Sweelinck, Tschesnokoff and Brent Pierce complete this holiday listening collection.
SDG CD91 $10.00
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Harpsichord Carols
A NEW HOLIDAY CD!
Jackson Berkey
JACKSON BERKEY His composing and performing career spans over forty years of touring, concertizing and recording. As both a soloist and as featured keyboard artist with the Grammy Award-winning Mannheim Steamroller, he has recorded over twenty-five CDs on the SDG Records and American Gramaphone labels. HARPSICHORD CAROLS marks the first complete CD of his works written specifically for harpsichord. Together with guest harpist, Kathy Bundock Moore, Berkey's new CD offers a tapestry of harpsichord, harp and piano colors seldom recorded with such clarity and beauty.
HARPSICHORD CAROLS Commissioned in the mid 1990's, the Carols are now published in sets of 4. All originally for harpsichord solo, Jackson has expanded many of them for different instruments including two for piano; six for harpsichord and harp; one for flute orchestra; and three for hand bells. In 1999, four of the Carols won first prize in the highly respected Alinor Harpsichord Composition Competition.
LORD RICHARD Berkey's harpsichord came to him with quite a history: The instrument was given as a gift by the English actor, Richard Harris, to songwriter Jimmy Webb. Jimmy used it in New York during the period when he was writing an album for Harris which included the famous MacArthur Park. In keeping with its historical background, Jackson has named the harpsichord "Lord Richard".
Jackson Berkey 2-Manual Sperrhake-Passau Harpsichord
Steinway D Concert Grand Piano
and
Kathy Bundock Moore
Lyon & Healy Concert Harp
SDG CD011 $10.00
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Jackson Berkey meets the Seattle Girls Choir
The Treble Choral Works of Jackson Berkey
Seattle Girls Choir
Jerome Wright brilliantly conducts the Seattle Girls' Choir "Prime Voci" in this new 70-minute CD from SDG Records. Appearing with the choir is pianist/composer Jackson Berkey along with top instrumentalists from the Pacific Northwest. The exuberant downbeat of the Gloria in excelsis Deo! tells you instantly that you're in the midst of expert music making.
What follows is a sublime journey in beauty. Unexpected beauty of choral sound from such young singers. Beauty of instrumental gesture. Beauty of impeccable performances. Premiere recordings of South Dakota Shadows Suite and The Song of Solomon. A "gangbusters" performance of Sacramento Sis-Joe (with mallet instruments and piano four-hands) segues to the gentle Little Fire with piano and harp. Still, Still Night and Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus receive especially beautiful readings featuring the harp playing of Juliet Stratton.
The new Seattle Girls' Choir CD program closes with the premiere recording of Berkey's Thoughts and Remembrances. This revealing work was written to celebrate the lives of Jackson's and his lady Almeda's mothers, both of whom died in 1994. Jerome and Jackson's collaboration here is soul-stirring. Included are the ethereal Isaiah 44:3 and the setting of Thomas Campion's poem View Me, Lord, A Work of Thine. The dramatic 6Pence provides an unexpected release of laughter and joviality; Balm in Gilead soothes the mind and soul.
Jackson Berkey meets the Seattle Girls' Choir. Much of the music was set specifically for this premiere American treble force. One spin of the CD immediately reveals why.

SDG CD991 $10.00
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Jackson Berkeys Cantatas
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND EASTER WITH MUSIC!
Other Artists
Cantatas for Christmas and Easter highlight this CD with more than 70 minutes of music! Both cantatas offer superb, liturgically sound texts from librettist Almeda Berkey, who also conducts these premiere recorded performances. With the composer at the piano throughout, the choral forces bring the words of Christmas and Easter to life!
The Glory of His Majesty (Christmas) is an eclectic mixture of musical style and textures in whcih we experience the angularity of the baroque, jazz of the 20th Century, as well as dissonance associated with the avante garde. The simplicity of a treble solo is juxtaposed with the robust sound of a male quartet, and the suggestion of Gregorian chant is also heard. Jackson and Almeda call it their personal gift of praise to the God of might and power, and to His son. The Glory of His Majesty is scored for large mixed chorus, varied soloists, piano, organ, electric piano and synthesizer.
Come, Follow Me! (Easter) was written to function as a major, dramatic presentation for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, or during the Great Fifty Days following the Resurrection. This cantata has been performed annually in Omaha by the Berkeys since 1980. Since 1988, it has opened the Great Fifty Days Concert Series at St. Cecilia's Cathedral, the tenth largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. Come, Follow Me! is scored for large mixed chorus, varied soloists, piano, 2 organs, synthesizer, full percussion, earthquake and dramatic narrator.
SDG CD942 $10.00
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Jackson Berkeys Facets
Solo Piano, Piano 4-Hands, Harpsichord, Orchestrations by the performer
Jackson Berkey
Facets presents the many sides of this well-known composer/pianist trained at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Jackson toured professionally for ten years with the Norman Luboff Choir and, between tours, presented his debut recital in New York’s Town Hall. His first professional tour with Luboff brought him together with Chip Davis. The two men have worked together ever since the late 1960s and founded the Grammy award-winning Mannheim Steamroller in 1973.
Facets calls on the artist’s many years of study at the Juilliard School with his teacher and mentor, the late Josef Raieff. Raieff’s association with Rosina and Josef Lhevinne, as well as with Alexander Siloti (a pupil of Franz Liszt) and Artur Schnabel (whose pedagogical roots go back to Beethoven), combine to present us with the complex personality of Jackson Berkey. All of these influences are present in Berkey’s mind and heard in his pianistic sound.
SDG CD031 $10.00
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Norman Luboff Remembered
ALL CHORAL ARRANGEMENTS BY NORMAN LUBOFF
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum
What a joy this CD is for Jackson and me! It allows us to celebrate Norman’s universal influence and to share some of his greatness as musician.
Norman would enjoy the Cantorum’s wonderful singing — their robust voices, their natural sentimentality toward the lyrics, and the depth of their passion. These are the kinds of musicians that Norman engaged: fascinating singers with great voices, differing vocal timbre and energies. The fantastic mix of solo voices comfortable in both the popular and classical worlds contributes to the unique Luboff choral sound.
Almeda Berkey, former Luboff singer, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum, Conductor
With our personal history of well over a thousand performances with Norman, we shared intimately in his world of music. The very existence of Almeda’s Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum was at his encouraging. NORMAN LUBOFF REMEMBERED is our way of bringing you the wonderful music of that personal contact and experience. Jackson Berkey, Tour pianist for Norman Luboff, Composer/Pianist
SDG CD021 $10.00
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Seattle Holiday
SDG Records Presents The Seattle Girls' Choir!
Seattle Girls Choir
In their first solo CD, Jerome Wright conducts the Seattle Girls' Choir in a world class recording of the Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. Music of Christmas and Hannukah rounds out this superb collection of music for treble voices. Jerome's choir might best be compared to the world-famous Tapiola Choir. They are a superb ensemble quite unlike any other American Girls' Choir!
Included on Seattle Holiday is Jackson Berkey's treble voice work, God Be In My Head. Jackson first contacted Jerome following the Seattle Girls' Choir performance at the National American Choral Director's choral convention in San Diego in 1992. Since that time, the composer has set many of his works for treble chorus, always with the sound of the Seattle Girls' Choir in mind. Plans are currently underway for this wonderful treble choir to release two new recordings with SDG Records: One release, the Pergolesi Stabat Mater and Britten Missa Brevis. And the second? An entire album of Jackson's works for treble chorus!
Seattle Holiday is guaranteed to be a wonderful addition to your choral library.
SDG CD971 $10.00
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The Jackson Berkey Harp Book
RELAX AND DROP A NOTE TO A FRIEND!
Other Artists
We guarantee that this album of music will be different from any other in your CD Collection! The recorded sound is absolutely pristine in quality, and the music is of a relaxing nature that is certain to please. Kathy Bundock Moore's adaptations and arrangements of music from Jackson Berkey's published (and unpublished) catalog are beautifully set for solo harp. And her performances of them are simply wonderful! The colors emanating from her solo harp sometimes suggest a dulcimer, or a music box. Sometimes a guitar or lute. Sometimes a sitar. And always, a beautiful concert harp. This album is an absolute winner, and we at SDG Records rest our reputation on it!
MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL!
SDG CD971 $10.00
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The Mountains and the Sea
TAKE A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SEA!
Jackson Berkey
The American Visions video series served as the basis for this album which was later augmented with the voices of Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum. Jackson Berkey's original music will carry you on a wonderful journey through the Great Smoky Mountains (The Mountains) and Olympic National Park (The Sea), two of our most visited national parks. The beautiful sound of the Baldwin SD-10 Concert Grand is mixed with acoustic and synthetic textures along with the voices of the Cantorum. All musical elements are then combined with actual recorded sounds of nature from each park. It's literally just like being there!
Order your The Mountains and The Sea and enjoy the trip!
SDG CD92 $10.00
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