On this page of the Neihardt store you can choose and purchase CDs of early recordings of John Neihardt, recitations accompanied by classical guitar or orchestra, Classical Guitar duo music of Neihardt and Bentley, and original compositions of Robin Neihardt.
For a great Christmas gift idea click here!
The works and thoughts of John G. Neihardt
Digitally remastered from the original vinyl records released in 1973, this 3 CD set of spoken word poetry and commentary is an excellent opportunity for you to hear the Epic Poet, in his own words, reflect on the History of the Western United States that he brought to life in his writings. This set includes recitations of Black Elk's Prayer, Death of Crazy Horse, and the Death of Sitting Bull, as well as several of his lyric poems. Total playing time: 159 minutes
Set: $19.95
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This collection of recitations of his own works, originally recorded by John Neihardt in 1970, has been digitally remastered and released in CD format. John Neihardt recites many of his lyric poems, including April Theology and L'Envoi as well as selections from A Cycle of the West. |
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Total time: 52:15 Each: $9.95 |
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Years ago, a good friend of ours asked my mother and me to present a joint program of my grandfather's poetry and classical guitar. At first thought, I couldn't see how this could be accomplished. I dismissed the idea as "nice try, but no thanks!" John Neihardt's poems are not easily or successfully set to music. They have great power in "spoken word" and don't bend to the confines of music structure that usually dictate repeating phrases and disjunct delivery. If this wasn't enough to defeat the idea, my solo instrumentalist ego disliked the idea of subjugation fine music to a secondary role. Thus, breaking up the music to fit words was equally unacceptable. Nonetheless, we agreed to perform and the date was rapidly approaching. With the help and encouragement of my wife, Joy, we came upon a plan. What we discovered one afternoon in Bancroft, Nebraska seemed to us to work well. I carefully selected music that conveyed a similar emotion to a poem Hilda was to recite. By playing the music and reciting the poem over and over, Joy, Hilda and I found "meeting points" in the music and spoken poem that joined them together without restricting either! What you hear on this CD is the result of our endeavor.
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Total time: 41:49 Each: $9.95 |
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A year or so ago, I found vinyl recordings my grandfather made nearly 40 years ago containing recitations of his lyric and dramatic poems. I remembered the recordings from earlier days, and wanted to make these recordings available in a more modern format. The first step was acquiring a record turntable, for I hadn’t owned one in years. The vinyl records were then played recorded into a digital format on the hard drive of my computer, saving them as wav files. Once in digital format, numerous hours were spent cleaning up the files by removing the “clicks” and “pops” so charateristic of vinyl records. The new digital audio files were then arranged on 4 CDs which are available at the website: www.neihardt.com. While listening to this new-found voice of my grandfather, I decided to compose original music for some of the lyric poems and, in the studio, digitally combine the music with the recorded voice of John Neihardt. As a music composer, and always looking for a new project, I felt if the desired effect could be achieved, this could be a way of honoring his legacy. On many of the pieces, I was able to reduce the dynamic rhythm of his recitation to music note values (half note, quarter note eighth note, etc.) which then became primary rhythms in the compositions; thus tying the music and the lyrics together. The result of these endeavors is this CD. I sincerely hope you enjoy listening. To hear a brief clip of one of them, Black Elk's Prayer, click here
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Total time: Approx. 32:00 Each: $9.95 |
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Perhaps two of the most famous exerpts from John Neihardt's, A Cycle of the West, are the telling of the death of Crazy Horse from The Song of the Indian Wars and the vision sequence from the Song of the Messiah. On this CD, the voice is that of John Neihardt recorded in the early 1970's shortly before his death. I have set these two exerpts to original orchestral compositions.
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Total time: Approx. 20:15 Each: $6.95 |
Performed by the Neihardt/Bentley Guitar Duo
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This is a collection of excellent arrangements of music arranged for two classical guitars that range from the Renaissance to the present day.
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Total time: 37:43 Each: $9.95 |
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This is a collection of excellent arrangements of traditional Christmas music.
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Total time: 40:15 Each: $9.95 |
It seems a century ago (though in reality only 30 years) that I graduated from the Conservatory of Music with degrees in guitar performance, music theory, and composition. Over the years, I have done a good deal with the guitar performance part, but very little with theory and composition-that is, until recently.
Over the past year or so, a steady stream of music thought has come to mind, and I have written it down in various instrumental combinations.
I found a software program for my computer, a "typewriter" for music, allowing me to write the notes of music directly on staffs in the scores; so I can print clear, legible copies of the scores and parts. In addition, I obtained digital sound files, samples from actual recorded orchestral instruments and percussion. Once the score is entered into this program, I can assign these digital sounds to the staffs of my score, a "digital cello" to the cello part, a "digital flute" to the flute part, etc. After instructing the instruments to perform differently in certain areas, I can reproduce my composition in a very realistic sounding audio track, and record these onto audio Compact Discs.
As a result, I have completed four CDs and a fifth is in the works. The first CD is titled: Back From the Ledge. My sister, Coralie, came up the name when she kindly told me that listening to this CD brought her "back from the ledge" after a stressful day at work. The second, Reflections of the Spirit, is a continuation of the first. On six tracks of the second CD, in honor of John Neihardt, I created original music and combined it with lyrics recited and recorded by Neihardt in the early seventies. The favorite on this CD seems to be a setting of Black Elk's Prayer, although my personal favorite is the setting of When I Have gone Weird Ways.
Is it classical music? I suppose so, for wont of a better description, I am an American Composer. (I am classically trained and classical music is my love.)
I would enjoy sharing this music with you and I would welcome your comments.
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This CD is a collection of original compositions for various instruments and ensembles ranging from solo guitar, to brass ensemble, to string orchestra. The compositions were recorded in stereo using digitally sampled instrument sound files. The original intent of the recorded music was to share this music with friends and family. However, primarily through word of mouth, the CD is generating quite a bit of interest from folks who enjoy listening to the compositions digitally performed by "virtual musicans".
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Total time: 42:14 Each: $9.95 |
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This CD is a collection of more original compositions for various instruments and ensembles ranging from solo guitar, to brass ensemble, to string orchestra. The compositions were recorded in stereo using digitally sampled instrument sound files. If you enjoyed the works presented on Back From the Ledge, please consider trying Reflections of the Spirit.
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Total time: Approx. 62:00 Each: $9.95 |
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This CD is a collection of 14 original compositions for various instruments and ensembles. The compositions were recorded in stereo using digitally sampled instrument sound files.
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Total time: 54:58 Each: $9.95 |
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This CD is a collection of 11 original compositions for various instruments and ensembles. The compositions were recorded in stereo using digitally sampled instrument sound files.
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Total time: 57:52 Each: $9.95 |