Nine Young Minnesota Artists "On the Verge":
ABBIE BETINIS: composer, age 27
What she's done: Resident composer at the Schubert Club, winner of a just-announced Jerome Composers Commissioning Program grant, she has compiled an impressive catalog of atmospheric choral music. A more insistent voice emerged last season in "From Behind the Caravan," written for the Rose Ensemble. She's also begun to push her text-centered envelope.
Why she's gonna make it: Composers' careers don't cleave to Hollywood's "breakthrough" narrative. The only thing Betinis is poised for is hard work -- lots of it. But her talent and tenacity, along with a self-critical bent, should take her far."
- Larry Fuchsberg, The Star Tribune, Nov 2007 [entire story]
On Bar xizam (Upward I rise):
"Abbie Betinis' superb rendition of a Sufi ghizal (hymn), however, was stunningly performed: the medieval Persian mixing with contemporary vocal devices in a whirling, soaring vision of the soul after death. One particular highlight was the excellent duet between the resonant mezzo and swooping, bird-like soprano soloists."
- Rosemary Ponnekanti, The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 2007 [entire review]
On Remember, O Thou Man:
"Abbie Betinis' arrangement of an Elizabethan ballad honors its origins while making it more contemporary and compelling.
- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, Dec 2006 [entire review]
On In This Tyme of Chrystmas (formerly "Quid petis, O Fili"):
". . .the 14 voices of the Rose Ensemble. . . paid profound respect to each composer represented. [Abbie Betinis's] "Quid petis O Fili" is written in a style consistent with that of the Elizabethan songs around it, and it proved a liltingly sweet slice of parenthood, superbly sung by the group. Historically educational yet soaked with spirit, the concert felt as if something magical had been preserved in amber in the 16th century, then uncovered to be enjoyed by a modern audience.
- Ron Hubbard, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Dec 2006 [entire review]
On Aililiú, ó Íosa:
"The world premieres by composer Abbie Betinis fit effectively into the musical palette and added to the drama. She set period texts to music and while she used contemporary sonorities, she did so with such sensitivity that they were still of a piece with the rest of the program. This was one of the most elaborate productions the Rose Ensemble has attempted, and one of the most winning."
- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, April 2005 [entire review]
On The Clan of the Lichens:
"Lichens" alternated bursts of melodic invention with dreamlike passages of impressionist harmony. In the work's highlight, its agile fourth movement, piano glissandi represented the endless flight of a comet that yearns for rest.
- The Manitou Messenger, St. Olaf College, May 2005 [entire review]
On Psalm 126:
"The setting of Psalm 126 by Abbie Betinis (b.1980) is truly striking..."
- Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, September 2004
". . . an exciting new setting of "Psalm 126" by Minnesota composer Abbie Betinis . . . The choirs produce the legendary sound that has come to be associated with St. Olaf; the congregational singing is enthusiastic and robust. Organ and instrumentalists provide skillful support. . . . Beautifully produced, this recording exudes a sense of home, comfort, and joy.
- CD review (Home, Harvest & Healing), The American Organist, September 2005
On Cedit Hyems:
"More interesting are the premieres of two carols by members of the [Dale Warland] Singers. Most audacious is Abbie Betinis' Cedit Hyems (Be Gone, Winter!), edgy in depicting a troubled world and thrilling in the joy of the Nativity."
- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, Minneapolis, December 2003
On Blessed Be the Lord, My Rock:
"I sang with much strength and feeling because it is the type of song that has a good message. I was very honored to be in the first group to perform it. The night that we performed it, I saw tears in people's eyes. That made me feel like I was passing the message along in the right way."
- Julie Moravec, student, White Bear Lake HS, May 2003
ABBIE BETINIS: composer, age 27What she's done: Resident composer at the Schubert Club, winner of a just-announced Jerome Composers Commissioning Program grant, she has compiled an impressive catalog of atmospheric choral music. A more insistent voice emerged last season in "From Behind the Caravan," written for the Rose Ensemble. She's also begun to push her text-centered envelope.Why she's gonna make it: Composers' careers don't cleave to Hollywood's "breakthrough" narrative. The only thing Betinis is poised for is hard work -- lots of it. But her talent and tenacity, along with a self-critical bent, should take her far."- Larry Fuchsberg, The Star Tribune, Nov 2007 [entire story]On Bar xizam (Upward I rise):
"Abbie Betinis' superb rendition of a Sufi ghizal (hymn), however, was stunningly performed: the medieval Persian mixing with contemporary vocal devices in a whirling, soaring vision of the soul after death. One particular highlight was the excellent duet between the resonant mezzo and swooping, bird-like soprano soloists."- Rosemary Ponnekanti, The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 2007 [entire review]On Remember, O Thou Man:
"Abbie Betinis' arrangement of an Elizabethan ballad honors its origins while making it more contemporary and compelling.- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, Dec 2006 [entire review]On In This Tyme of Chrystmas (formerly "Quid petis, O Fili"):
". . .the 14 voices of the Rose Ensemble. . . paid profound respect to each composer represented. [Abbie Betinis's] "Quid petis O Fili" is written in a style consistent with that of the Elizabethan songs around it, and it proved a liltingly sweet slice of parenthood, superbly sung by the group. Historically educational yet soaked with spirit, the concert felt as if something magical had been preserved in amber in the 16th century, then uncovered to be enjoyed by a modern audience.- Ron Hubbard, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Dec 2006 [entire review]On Aililiú, ó Íosa:
"The world premieres by composer Abbie Betinis fit effectively into the musical palette and added to the drama. She set period texts to music and while she used contemporary sonorities, she did so with such sensitivity that they were still of a piece with the rest of the program. This was one of the most elaborate productions the Rose Ensemble has attempted, and one of the most winning."- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, April 2005 [entire review]On The Clan of the Lichens:
"Lichens" alternated bursts of melodic invention with dreamlike passages of impressionist harmony. In the work's highlight, its agile fourth movement, piano glissandi represented the endless flight of a comet that yearns for rest.- The Manitou Messenger, St. Olaf College, May 2005 [entire review]On Psalm 126:
"The setting of Psalm 126 by Abbie Betinis (b.1980) is truly striking..."- Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, September 2004". . . an exciting new setting of "Psalm 126" by Minnesota composer Abbie Betinis . . . The choirs produce the legendary sound that has come to be associated with St. Olaf; the congregational singing is enthusiastic and robust. Organ and instrumentalists provide skillful support. . . . Beautifully produced, this recording exudes a sense of home, comfort, and joy.- CD review (Home, Harvest & Healing), The American Organist, September 2005On Cedit Hyems:
"More interesting are the premieres of two carols by members of the [Dale Warland] Singers. Most audacious is Abbie Betinis' Cedit Hyems (Be Gone, Winter!), edgy in depicting a troubled world and thrilling in the joy of the Nativity."- William Randall Beard, The Star Tribune, Minneapolis, December 2003On Blessed Be the Lord, My Rock:
"I sang with much strength and feeling because it is the type of song that has a good message. I was very honored to be in the first group to perform it. The night that we performed it, I saw tears in people's eyes. That made me feel like I was passing the message along in the right way."- Julie Moravec, student, White Bear Lake HS, May 2003