San Francisco Songs
Gordon Beeferman
About this work:
GORDON BEEFERMAN – SAN FRANCISCO SONGS
words by Jane Barnes
San Francisco Songs is the result of an unusual collaboration with poet Jane Barnes. The Songs were conceived in the summer of 1998, when I asked Jane if she would be interested in writing the words for a large-scale orchestral song cycle about San Francisco. Rather than a "tourist" piece all about pretty scenery and cable cars, I was interested in the psychology of the landscape, how the city might be seen, and felt, through the eyes of a young gay man. Jane immediately rose to the challenge and we began uncovering a spiritual and emotional map of the city. In fog we discovered paralyzing fear, safety and sensuality; on a bridge we found hopelessness (as well as a means of getting to the other side); in an earthquake we saw erotic love. As a whole cycle, the songs chart the difficult journey from innocence to experience, from pain to joy and back to pain, from desperation to acceptance.
Writing this piece with Jane was a collaboration in the truest, best sense of the word. We worked very closely together on the concept and structure of the piece. Jane and I pored over her drafts together, and she was open to my suggestions and criticisms. Jane was a frequent visitor to my composing process as well, listening to the music at various stages of completion and offering ideas and encouragement.
The piano version is the best approximation of the orchestral concept, which has so far been heard only in my head (I completed the orchestral score in March 2000). The vocal part is distinguished by its high tessitura as well as frequent use of quarter-tones. (I might add that the orchestral part contains quarter-tones as well, but these obviously cannot be heard on the piano.) —GB
Year composed: 2000
Duration: 00:25:00
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice with Keyboard
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 1 Tenor
Instrumentation notes: Orchestral version available. (Large orchestra: 3/3/3/3 (plus 3 saxes A, S/T, A/B), 3/3/3/1, timp., 1 percussion, harp, piano, strings