| I had a busy weekend. I just finished a gig playing the piano for a local production of “The Nutcracker” – not the ballet, but a comedic play somewhat based on the storyline from the ballet. The play ran Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. Plus, on Sunday morning, I rehearsed with my friend who will be singing my Dickinson-based songs for our third-annual Emily Dickinson birthday celebration. In addition, throughout the weekend I spent time working on the program. The pics below are of a draft. Like the past two events, this one will include ten songs – eight are based on poems by Dickinson, one based on “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou, and one based on a poem by E. E. Cummings. I paired the first two poems to demonstrate how I ended each song – one with a strong cadence to reflect definite resolution as “My River runs to thee” ends with an exclamation mark, and one with a series of chords to suggest a sense of incompletion as “After great pain, a formal feeling comes’ ends with a dash. |  |
NOTE: I HAVE REVISED THE PROGRAM, AND THE PICS ABOVE HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES.
The third number is based on “There’s a certain slant of light,” and the music is anything but light – in the sense of being buoyant or bright. I used low base notes in the intro to characterize a shaft of light, but one that was heavy and onerous to stay true to the third & fourth lines: “That oppresses like the Heft / Of Cathedral Tunes.”
The next song is lighter – based on “There is a June when corn is cut” – but with a touch of wistfulness.
The next song is lighter – based on “There is a June when corn is cut” – but with a touch of wistfulness.
The next is a very lyrical tune based on “The Sun just touched the Morning,” followed by a reflective and flowing piece for E. E. Cummings’ “the great advantage of being alive.”
For “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” I wrote a very bouncy, playful song to reflect confidence in one’s humble ways. After all, the opening words, “I’m Nobody” are capitalized, and the are followed by an exclamation point!
Next up is “I felt a funeral in my brain,” and I love that I was able to fit the poem to a classic hit by Procol Harem, “A Whiter Shad of Pale.” The chord progression works perfectly!
For “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” I wrote a very bouncy, playful song to reflect confidence in one’s humble ways. After all, the opening words, “I’m Nobody” are capitalized, and the are followed by an exclamation point!
Next up is “I felt a funeral in my brain,” and I love that I was able to fit the poem to a classic hit by Procol Harem, “A Whiter Shad of Pale.” The chord progression works perfectly!
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The penultimate number is based on Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” and the song is a combination of oppressive chords for the verses with an upbeat and uplifting chorus.
The recital will end with a playful, tongue-in-cheek operatic-ish number based on “Adrift! A little boat adrift.” It’s fun to play!
The recital will end with a playful, tongue-in-cheek operatic-ish number based on “Adrift! A little boat adrift.” It’s fun to play!
Again, all the pics above show the first draft of the program. I’ll take a look at it again after Thanksgiving to see how I might revise it.
NOTE: I HAVE REVISED THE PROGRAM, AND THE PICS ABOVE HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES.
NOTE: I’ll have a post tomorrow about the coming feast-filled holiday, and then I’ll be on a break with Dickinson posts from the 27th through the 30th. I’ll pick back up on Monday, December 1.
NOTE: I HAVE REVISED THE PROGRAM, AND THE PICS ABOVE HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES.
NOTE: I’ll have a post tomorrow about the coming feast-filled holiday, and then I’ll be on a break with Dickinson posts from the 27th through the 30th. I’ll pick back up on Monday, December 1.
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