The Goddess Suite

The Goddess SuiteThe Goddess Suite is a choral work for women’s voices, composed by Cynthia Rylander Crossen in 1986 to celebrate the Greek goddesses.  Words for Demeter and Persephone and Athena were co-written by Laurie Lindgren and Cynthia, words for Hymn to Hera were written by Sandra Brooks-Mathers, who also co-wrote words for Aphrodite with Cynthia.

The Goddess Suite was performed in 1986 and 1987 (co-produced by Louise Omoto Kessel and Cynthia, conducted by Eleanor Sableski), and revived in 2010 (co-produced by Hope Wilder and Cynthia, conducted by Sheila Fleming).   Visit the Community Music Project website for recordings and information about the 2010 performances.

View photos of The Goddess Suite performances.

The Goddess Suite Lyrics (PDF)
The Goddess Suite Score (PDF)
Download entire Goddess Suite (zip file ~ 48.2MB).
Download 1987 Goddess Suite Album Art (zip file).
Download 2010 Goddess Suite Album Art (pdf file).

To play a song or view lyrics, click the title. To download a song, lyrics, or score, right click on the link and select Save link as…

The Goddess Suite 1987 Recording

  1. Artemis (4:39)  © 1986 Cynthia Crossen    (Artemis Score)  (Artemis Lyrics)
  2. Demeter and Persephone (13:49)   © 1986 Cynthia Crossen  (Demeter & Persephone Score)  (Demeter & Persephone Lyrics)
  3. Hymn to Hera (3:29)   © 1986 Cynthia Crossen    (Hera Score)  (Hera Lyrics)
  4. Hestia (3:15)   © 1986 Cynthia Crossen    (Hestia Score)  (Hestia Lyrics)
  5. Aphrodite (4:22)   © 1986 Cynthia Crossen   (Aphrodite Score)  (Aphrodite Lyrics)
  6. Athena (5:53)   © 1986 Cynthia Crossen   (Athena Score)  (Athena Lyrics)

About the 1987 Recording

  • Conductor: Eleanor Sableski; Piano: Susanne Saunders; Cello: Seth Holtzman; Flutes: Anna Wilson, Jane Howard; Percussion: Rick Rosen
  • Soloists: Elaine Lipson (Demeter and Persephone); Elaine Chiosso (Demeter and Persephone); Yahoo Maerker (Aphrodite); Sandra Brooks-Mathers (Aphrodite)
  • Chorus: Kathy Bowman, Sandra Brooks-Mathers, Alice Amber Carlton, Elaine Chiosso, Cynthia Crossen, Marcia Decker, Sarbaga Falk, Barb Hawk, Peggy Kinney, Laura Lindgren, Elaine Lipson, Yahoo Maerker, Dhiresha Marshall, Christina Morrison, Libby Outlaw, Bepi Pinner, Liza Rankow, Carol Verner, De Lon Turner, Jean Wakefield, Peg Wolfe, Alice Yeaman
  • Production:  Produced by Cynthia R. Crossen. Goddess Suite recorded live in concert June 6, 1987 at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Durham, North Carolina; Engineered by Don Mercz of WUNC Radio.  Cover by Hope Wilder. Re-mastered 2004 by Bob Gaude, Cynthia, and Ken Crossen.
  • Thank You’s to:  Ken Crossen, Pomegranate Rose (Sandra Brooks-Mathers, Sarbaga Falk, Laurie Lindgren), Jean Shinoda Bolen (author of Goddesses in Everywoman, Harper & Row, 1985), and the wonderful people who make up our audiences.
  • CD’s available. Contact me for more information.
  • © 1987−2004 Cynthia R. Crossen. All rights reserved.

Goddess-Suite-2010The Goddess Suite 2010 Recording, Live June 20, 2010

  1. Overture  arranged by Susan Yael Siegel for 2010 performances  (Overture Score)
  2. Artemis  © 1986 Cynthia R. Crossen  (Artemis Score)   (Artemis Lyrics)
  3. Demeter and Persephone Part 1   © 1986 Cynthia R. Crossen   (Entire Demeter & Persephone Score)    (Demeter & Persephone Lyrics)
  4. Demeter and Persephone Part 2   © 1986 Cynthia R. Crossen 
  5. Hymn to Hera    © 1986 Cynthia R. Crossen   (Hera Score)   (Hera Lyrics)
  6. Hestia   © 1986 Cynthia R. Crossen    (Hestia Score)   (Hestia Lyrics)
  7. Aphrodite    © 1986 R. Cynthia Crossen    (Aphrodite Score)  (Aphrodite Lyrics)
  8. Athena   © 1986 R. Cynthia Crossen    (Athena Score)  (Athena Lyrics)

About the 2010 Recording

  • Conductor:  Sheila Fleming; Piano: Susanne Saunders; Cello: Jill Soha; Flutes: Susan Siegel, Laura Szpir; Percussion: Sarbaga Falk, Jude Casseday.  Additional instrumental parts created by Susanne Saunders for the piano and Seth Holtzman for the cello.  Percussion created by percussionists.
  •  Soloists: Karen Thornburg, Elaine Chiosso (Demeter and Persephone), Kim Kingsley, Hope Horton (Aphrodite)
  • Chorus: First Sopranos: Amy Durso, Andrea Batsche, Ariel Alston, Barbara Moore, Chloe Noblit, Irina Bunnage, Isadora Galjour, Karen Thornburg, Kaye Sloan, Keisha Miller, Kim Kingsley, Margaret Moten, Ruth Winecker, Sade Epps, Saythen Scurlock, Zella Magoo; Second Sopranos: Andrea Snyder, Caroline Butler, Hope Wilder, Kelly Peak, Laine Lipson, Lea Clayton, Margaret Wolfe-Roberts, Sally Bond, Sandra Brooks-Mathers, Sarah Howe, Susan Siegel; First Altos: Bronwyn Watson, Carol Verner, Jane Underhill, Janice Rieves, Debra Wuliger, Dede Banks, Emily Reece, Hope Horton, Sarbaga Falk, Toni Constant; Second Altos: Ann Ringland, Barb Ford, Cynthia Crossen, Elaine Chiosso, Ellen Manning, Ellen Martin, Sara Wilson.
  • Events Produced by:  Hope Wilder and Cynthia Crossen
  • Recording, Mixing, & Mastering: Jesse Wilder; Cover Photo: Andrew Synowiez; Technical & Sound Help: Ken Crossen, Brian Thornburg, Paul Ford
  • This production was recorded live on June 20, 2010, at the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Church in Durham, North Carolina.  © 2010 Cynthia R. Crossen. All rights reserved.