My Own Classical Music

Sarah Wallin Huff returns to Navona Records with SHARDS, a wide variety of compositions that explore life, love, death, and the philosophy and mysticism that make up the in-betweens. True to the unique identity of Wallin Huff’s admirable body of work, the compositions building SHARDS structure themselves around brilliantly original frameworks while also delivering a philosophical, thoughtful structure to the album. Wallin Huff sufficiently and spectacularly elaborates upon her identity as a self-described “stream-of-consciousness composer” in this contemplative and explorative journey, a comprehensive album sure to make waves with its mystical nature.

Written in 2015, Christmas Wayfarer is a medley of sacred Christmas carols for symphony orchestra. It is a formal collection of some of Wallin Huff’s prior arrangements for a variety of chamber ensembles of both classic and lesser known carols that she has created and performed over the years. Included in this sweeping work are her original adaptations of I Saw Three Ships, O Come All Ye Faithful, Coventry Carol, O Holy Night, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

As in a Philip K. Dick or Isaac Asimov novel, composer Sarah Wallin Huff’s music on SOUL OF THE MACHINE, her debut solo release on Navona Records, explores the relationships between mechanical structures, organic beauty, and identity.

Wallin Huff’s string quartet Anima Mechanicae: Soul of the Machine is a reimagining of minimalist techniques, in the style of Philip Glass, and uses mathematical ratios to determine rhythmic and tonal patterns, setting a science fiction tale of a computer that is given the chance to experience human emotions. Another work that has an overarching tale, one of uncertainty and identity, is Courage Triptych, a cinematic suite of “images,” while Adoré transforms the hymn “My Tribute” by Andraé Crouch into an open and ethereal piece, remindful of Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question. The sonata for violin and piano, Gypsy Wanderer, is a study of patterns, colors, and formula, creating rhythmic and harmonic wanderings. The three movements of Counterpoint Invariable follow a strict arrangement of phrases, varying only the compositional material, illustrating that mechanical designs can produce emotive beauty.

2019 GMA Silver Medal Winner for the Composition/Composer category! (Original album art by Tim Wilsie.)

In a world where adventure calls and the intrepid answer… where the daring explore a mystifying world of Dream and Thought… where heartbreak twists into furious desperation… where virtuosic fits of funkiness stare brazenly into the face of danger… where forgetfulness drives discovery and hope…

In this world, Leviathan — a creature that haunts the Ancient Depths — lies in wait to strike upon those that seek its legendary might!

Who will win this contest of wills? The stirring waves bear witness to this eternal struggle…

(Order physical copies at: https://sjwallin.url.lol/legendcd)

Written in 2015, Cradle Song (of Mary’s Beloved) is a 3-minute-long work for SATB choir with either brass or woodwind instrumental solo (optional solo parts include Bb Trumpet, Flute, Bb Clarinet, or Horn in F).

The text, adapted from the 1901 poem of the same name by Patrick K. O’Horan, is a sweet lullaby sung by Mary, mother of Jesus, to her “beloved little One” of the “Holy, Immortal, Ineffable Name.”

In her gentle song, she promises: “Here is thy mother Close, dearest heart: I shall be with thee When shepherds depart. Sleep, O my little Lord, darling one, sleep.”

The scene takes place in the United States circa 1903, at a time when women were just beginning to populate the social areas previously reserved for men. To guard against “mashers” who were simply afraid of seeing so many women outside the home, many women trusted their protection to their hatpins, a dangerous fashion accessory that was common in this time period.

Bronze Medal winner at the Global Music Awards!! A wintery piano solo, written during the 2020 holiday season, and performed by Lydia Wu. Lush electroacoustic soundscape added to accompany this piano solo in fall of 2021.

THE RELUCTANT CARNIE is a quirky, vintage-style miniature for solo piano, originally composed in 2017 to accompany various selections of background music for use in a bingo game app. Pianist Randall Hodgkinson has said that the work “is charming, a little Satie sensibility set in the wild west.” While perhaps simple and straightforward in scope, The Reluctant Carnie nevertheless maintains an evocative charm with its sad swagger and temperamental moodiness.

Recorded at One on One Recording Studio in North Hollywood, by the Instrumental Casting Orchestra, with Ruslan Biryukov (cello soloist) and Dustin McKinney (trumpet soloist).

Certain musical patterns are shared among all of humanity, transcending geographical and temporal boundaries. This brief orchestral suite of early spiritual songs originating from the North American continent exemplifies this remarkable unity. Whether it be the music of indigenous peoples displaced by European colonists, the religious songs adapted from folk songs of European origins, the poignant spirituals of the enslaved forcibly brought to America’s shores, or the hymns sung by impoverished rural Southerners, humanity expresses hope through their shared language of music. Featuring the traditional songs “Lakota Lullaby”, “Wayfaring Stranger”, “I Wade the Water to My Knees”, “Wondrous Love”, and “Idumea”, this musical journey illustrates the striking commonalities shared in the music of our diverse heritages.

Taking its cue from the Hebrew description of the Creature of antiquity and imagination, this modern concerto features the virtuosic properties of the six-string electric violin with its immense range, while the various and creative sounds available to the synthesizer and electric wind instrument (EWI) enhance the beauty of the acoustic orchestra.

The three movements of this concerto tell a story of warriors setting sail upon the seas to find this ancient creature, Leviathan, for themselves.

Composed for Matthew Angel in 2018, this Latin work for violin and piano is both charming and engaging as it dances through various stages of life.

Forged in the frustration, loneliness, and–ultimately–the processes of self-discovery during the 2020 pandemic, this dramatic violin solo is an expression of the complex, turbulent feelings that have arisen throughout the world.

“…astonishing in its emotional impact…it was a beautifully crafted piece, took me safely through remembering such a difficult time.” (Dr. Janine Riveire)

An eclectic collection of Christmas carols and winter poetry set to original music!

(Order physical copies at: https://sjwallin.url.lol/wintercd)

Composed for Mitchell Sturges in 2024. A majestic, neoclassical setting of Psalm 47, based on The Jewish Publication Society’s “The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text: A New Translation” (1917) and “The Rashi Ketuvim by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein”.

There are currently six versions of the sheet music available: mezzo/alto with piano, mezzo/alto with organ, soprano with piano, soprano with organ, tenor with piano, and tenor with organ.

2022 GMA Bronze Medal Winner for the Classical Crossover category!

This EP features all new Classical music, as well as the return of a recent favorite, composed and performed by Sarah Wallin Huff. SONATA MODERNA is a sonic journey of movement — of nostalgia and anticipation. The title track, “Sonata Moderna,” is based on an ancient piece from the 17th century (“Sonata sopra la Monica” by Biagio Marini). Featuring two violins and cello with rock rhythm and chords, the past is united with the present in this driving work. “Sweet Camila” returns (re-recorded) from its debut in the soundtrack album, “Music for The Book of I.” Based on Camila, a feature character in Jorge Armenteros’ novel, “The Book of I,” this work for string quartet looks back at good times with nostalgia while encouraging our main character to move forward with hope. “Organic Circuitry” is a unique string quartet, pitting the acoustic violin and cello against electric 5- and 6- string violins with effects. It evokes a futuristic state of being, merging ancient instruments with new technology. As a bonus, the newest composition from Wallin Huff, “Intrepid: A Fantasy for Oboe/English Horn Soloist and Chamber Ensemble,” has been included in this release. “Intrepid” is a dramatic expression of Life’s Journey, of migration and personal metamorphosis.

My first official album, boldly self-produced in 2013.