McCullough/ Beebe/ Freund - Song of the Shulamite

If you are looking for something different-something that will pique the ear and stir the heart in new ways-look no further. Song of the Shulamite is a 27-minute work that tells the love story of the Song of Solomon-the passionate courtship between the beautiful, young field worker, the Shulamite, and her true love. The work's use of modes and Middle Eastern idioms point geographically to the story's setting, creating a sense of antiquity, while it's use of repetitive patterns and exotic instrumentation in the form of marimba, vibraphone and harp produce fresh, modern interest. Even though it's source text is sacred, this work can be considered either sacred or secular since, when taken at face value, these poems stand on their own as exquisitely written, highly erotic expressions of love absent any religious theology.