- choral a cappella
- choral w/instruments
- chamber
- music theater
Psalm 42: As a Deer Longs for Flowing Streams
SATB a cappella, Hebrew Transliteration
With so many settings of this psalm already available, I was struck by the fact that Bleckner has something new and unique to say. The work is not difficult but does have some divisi. Vocally pleasing and dramatic. Philip Brunelle, American Organist Magazine
- Mp3
- Score sample (PDF)
- Purchase score from Alliance Music
- View text, translation, and composers notes from Alliance Music
- Purchase track from Amazon
- View live performance video
Yedid Nefesh (Beloved of My Soul)
SSATB a cappella, Hebrew Transliteration
Publisher's note: All the tenderness of quiet prayer is captured in this lovely treatment of a 16th-century Hebrew poem. A beautiful and simply-stated declaration of devotion.
- Mp3
- Score sample (PDF)
- Purchase score from Hal Leonard or here
- View live performance video
The Silence (After Psalm 132, Interpretationn by Nan C. Merrill)
SATB a cappella
...May the peace of the Spirit bless you, and lead you on life's journey. Be not afraid of the Silence, for Wisdom's Voice is heard there!
- Mp3
- Score sample
- Purchase score from Alliance Music
Shehecheyanu: Prayer of Gratitude (NEW!)
SATB a cappella, Hebrew Transliteration and English
The Shehecheyanu is traditionally recited in order to offer thanks for unusual experiences or special occasions, such as a baby’s first step, the beginning of a new course of study, or the first fruits of a new harvest. It is also recited at the beginning of holidays, such as the first night of Chanukah.
- SATB mp3
- SATB score sample (PDF) and SSAA score sample (PDF)
- Purchase SATB score from Alliance Music
- Purchase SSAA score from Mt. Airy Music Press
Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28: 12,17)
SATB a cappella, Hebrew Transliteration
...and behold a ladder set on the ground, and its head reaches the sky, and behold angels of God were going up and down it...and that is the gateway to heaven.
- Mp3 excerpt
- Score sample
- Purchase score from Mt. Airy Music Press
Publisher's note: Perfect for massed choral events, High School and College choirs. Written in an African call-and-response style with driving percussion and thrilling vocal climaxes.
Publisher's note: A psalm with a most unusual and refreshing twist: Bleckner has added African percussion!
This is a snappy arrangement indeed, full of close voicing and abundant rhythmic accompaniment. Suitable for advanced high school or college choirs as well as any church or synagogue service that is looking for a piece with a contemporary, international flavor.
A setting of a poem by a 4th grade Philadelphia student depicting the beauty of her world: I see the wonderful waves of the ocean, I see the deep blue beauty of the sky, I see the exciting cotton clouds...
Commissioned for a young percussionist who wished to showcase a modern work that featured mostly non-pitched percussion sounds. Construction is in ternary form where the outer A sections are crisp, sharp, loud, driving and climactic: the inner B section is resonant and meditative. The rhythmic content of both sections is based upon modules of additive rhythm.
The following two interrelated quotes were the inspiration for this work:
Why indeed must “God” be a noun? Why not a verb... the most active and dynamic of all? - Mary Daly, Theologian. 
