1st song
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"Three Serious Songs" (on texts by Margaret
Atwood) were commissioned by Chicago's 21st Century Music Ensemble
CUBE. The three
poems chosen deal with those hours in life where light is dim and
illusions and fear reign. The accompanying music uses several motives
that reflect essential elements of the poetry. Harmonically the music
offers passages of impressionist complex warmth contrasting with
sparse and starkly dissonant or purely consonant episodes. Treatment
of all musical elements and instruments emphasizes support of the
nocturnal character of the poetry. All movements lead into one another
without interruption. The score calls for Soprano Voice, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Flute/Picc., Alto Flute, Oboe/English Horn, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Piano and Percussion. Presented here is the reduction for piano and voice. |