I know that I need to finally post my part deux of Broadway vibratos, but with classes starting soon, it could be a little longer…
For now, I wanted to just post two choral songs that really resonate with me in a big way, mainly having to do with the lyrics, let alone the beauty of them. The first is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful choral pieces written (yeah, argue you all you want about “how many other pieces there are out there”; this is merely OPINION). “Stars I Shall Find” was composed by David Dickau, its lyric setting by Sara Teasdale. In a quick summary, the text is basically about a girl committing suicide; however, she doesn’t look at suicide as something dark and brooding…or sad. Rather, she sees her suicide as a final release and opportunity to join the stars that once gave her so much hope. This is why I find this poem so beautiful. Here is the best recording I could find on YouTube, performed by the University of Utah Singers:
I’m sure we’ve all heard of Dante, yes? Italian writer? Well, he’s most famous for writing The Divine Comedy. Z. Randall Stroope (one of my favorite composers of the 20th Century) took an excerpt from Dante’s Inferno, and created one of his most poignant and moving works to date. I have to give you the text’s translation in order to fully appreciate the beauty of this piece (it’s sung in Italian).
But soon it will be night
Now is the time to depart this place
For we have seen and experienced it all
Return [to paradise]
The wings of hell’s monarch are heard nearby!
But soon it will be night
I climbed toward paradise with no thought of looking back
I passed through a small opening
And finally saw heaven and the supreme light
And beheld once again the stars
Note: The Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADZ) is the greatest choir. Ever.
Posted by Jake on January 10, 2010 at 1:00 am
That poem by Sara Teasdale has inspired so many amazing pieces! My personal favorite is Ticheli’s. I sang his composition “There Will Be Rest” as a freshman in HS, and then as a Senior in HS we sang “Stars I Shall Find”. Both times I sang the songs, the text in particular had an amazing effect on me. My personal favorite of the two (and I saw this not for the sake of arguing, just as a second opinion) is Tichelli’s. Here –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7ppLOOCiY0 I love the way the music dances between harmonic melodies and unison and dissonance. It’s like you can feel the conflict and the “rest” that she is writing about. I love it.