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Sheet Music: Performance PartsDead songs, opus 45 : for soprano voice, clarinet in B flat, cello and piano / Andrew Schultz.by Andrew Schultz (1991)
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Product details
Dead Songs was composed in June 1991
and consists of settings of texts adapted from epitaphs collected
from New South Wales seaside cemeteries at Wombarra, Bulli, South
Head and Waverley. Many of the texts are combinations of several
different epitaphs (such as No.1, No. 4 and No. 8) and in some
cases graffiti or other found texts that made a useful connection
have found their way into the work. It was the simplicity of
expression, the occasional unintentional humour and even the
heartfelt Australian mawkishness of the texts that attracted me
to them as sources for a song cycle. The work is laid out quite
formally and with some musical references, for example to
Schubert's demonic transportation in No. 4, to Bach in No. 8 and
Josquin in No. 9.
If there is a metaphor in the work as a whole it
can be seen most clearly in the last song. Taken from several
decrepit headstones, the text misses the end of most lines and in
my setting is left that way - as a kind of floundering expression
in the face of bigger obstacles. The analogy here relates to the
physical position of the cemeteries as best exemplified by
Wombarra with its neat denominational arrangement of the dead
seeming somehow insignificant against the slow motion oblivion of
sea and wind tearing away at the crumbling cliff edges.
Published by: Australian Music Centre — 1 set of 3 performance parts (91p. -- B4 (portrait))
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 30 mins
Buried at sea -- His dust -- And underneath are the everlasting arms -- Ahead of his time -- Dead devils -- Agnus dei -- The Tahiti-Greycliffe disaster, Sydney Harbour 1927 -- Peace perfect peace -- Unreconstructed sentiment.
First performance by Symeron — 23 May 93. Eugene Goossens Hall, Sydney
Includes performance notes and text.
Piano part included in this set is a copy of the full score.
Text adapted from epitaphs collected from seaside cemeteries at Wombarra, Bulli, South Head and Waverley.
Typeset edition.
This edition produced Jul 93.
ISMN: M-67305-752-4
Related products
This work is also available in the following products:
Score: Dead songs, opus 45 : for soprano voice, clarinet in B flat, cello and piano / Andrew Schultz.
CD: The graveyard gate / Robyn Ravlich.
CD: Chamber music / Andrew Schultz.
Digital Audio: Dead songs / Andrew Schultz ; performed by Margaret Schindler, Perihelion
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