Love Songs
Faye-Ellen1 Silverman
About this work:
“Love Songs” is the title of a collection of poetry by Sara Teasdale. The title seemed apt, as all the texts used are by this poet, albeit from several books of poetry. This work uses four poems. The four texts are chosen as varied commentary on the same theme. The tonal centers move from song to song, resolving, finally, the opening F on song one on E in song four. There is a gradual increase in tempo for every movement (songs and interludes). The first movement has quarter equal to 84, while the last uses dotted quarter equal to 84.The decision to set these songs for one instrument (in this case flute, doubling with alto flute) arose from a conversation with the singer Juliana Janes-Yaffé, for whom these songs were written. She wanted to put together a series of songs each with a different single accompanying instrument.
There is an interlude for flute between the first and second songs and one for alto flute between the third and fourth. These two interludes are interrelated. The first begins with commentary on the previous song (the motive of “I laughed”) and ends with its own motive. The second begins with the latter motive and then proceeds to comment on the preceeding song (some of the notes of the word “free”). Both interludes end on the pitch G.
This version for mezzo-soprano was created at the request of one of my students (Carla), who loved, especially, the last song .
Version: mezzo-soprano and flute/alto flute
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:12:30
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice with One Non-keyboard Instrument
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Mezzo-Soprano
Instrumentation notes: Flute doubles alto flute