2023
Senior Recital at Skidmore College
This duet is from Stefano Donaudy’s collection “Thirty-six Arie di Stile Antico. Donaudy was an Italian composer who was active in the 1890’s and early 20th century. Most of his compositions were vocal music, dividing his efforts between opera and song. These songs are notably interesting because despite being written in the late 19th and early 20th century, they were written in “stile antico” or antique style. This means they sound like they were written much earlier. “Stile antico” was considered appropriate for creating choral church music in the 17th century, because of its more reserved characteristics. Composers in this style opted for dissonant, clear, and simplistic harmonies rather than highly expressive arrangements. Almost all of his texts were written with his brother, Alberto Donaudy.
Love spreads more swiftly to the heart. That is more on guard against it. Since my heart was betrayed by Thrysis I swore no longer to be bound to love ‘s service against love ‘s enchanting glances, I said I would arm myself with weapons equal to Cupid’s arrows; surely I will triumph! Love spreads more swiftly to the heart that is more on guard against it. But I saw Phyllis and all my good intentions fled! I saw Amaryllis and I could no longer control myself. No matter how many I see, I become crazy about all of them; At first I had one torment; now I have a hundred! Love spreads more swiftly to the heart · That is more on guard against it.
Alessandro Scarlatti was an Italian baroque composer of operas and religious works. Scarlatti is well known for his melodic style combined with chromatic harmony, which would inspire the compositions of Mozart and Franz Schubert. It is estimated that Scarlatti wrote at least 60 dramatic works and more than 600 chamber cantatas. The era of Baroque music ranged from 1600-1750 and breathed new life into the music culture of Western Europe. Composers began to see music as a powerful mode of expression and began adding lavish embellishments, exploring contrasts between loud and soft, and a focus on the single voice. Baroque scores offer little instruction for ornamentation and dynamics, leaving these decisions up to the ensembles and performers. This results in an array of different renditions of the same piece, which makes listening to these pieces a new experience each time.
If you to my death To this right-arm strong. If you do not wish to give the glory of my death to this strong right arm, give it to your eyes. Let the arrow of our glance be that which kills and consumes me. Poet unknown, translated by Bard Suverkrop
“Lascia ch’io pianga” from Rinaldo Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me Weep) is an aria from Handel’s opera Rinaldo. The abducted Almirena, who is the love of Rinaldo’s life sings of her tragic fate in the magical garden of Armida, the Queen of Damascus and ally to Rinaldo’s rival Argante. Alone in the garden, she releases her anger at Armida in the recitative, after which she is left feeling sorrowful and asks for god to take pity on her.
Armida cruel! With a force of hell Capture me from the dear heaven of my happiness. And here in sadness eternal alive me hold In tormenting hell. Lord! Ah! Out of pity let me cry. Allow that I weep over my cruel fate. And that I-may-sigh-for The freedom. Let my sadness shatter These chains Of my suffering If only out-of pity Translated by Bard Suverkrop
Johannes Brahm was a German composer and pianist and was l considered a leading composer in the Romantic period. Brahms composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, piano, organ, voice, and chorus. He displayed exceptional skill as a pianist and premiered many of his own wo!ks: He worked with leading performers of his time, including the pianist Clara Schumann and the violinist Joseph Joachim. Many of his works have become staples of the modem concert repertoire. Dein blaues Auge, a poem by Klaus Groth., illustrates the passion that still burns even in the silence between two lovers.
Your blue eyes hold so still I look as-far-as to to-the bottom. You ask me, What I wish to see? The sight restores me to health A glowing pair of eyes once burned me; I still feel the pain: Your eyes are clear as a lake And like a lake, as cool.
Poet Klaus Groth translated by Bard Suverkrop
Nadia Boulanger was a conductor, organist, and was an incredibly influential teacher of musical composition in the 20th century. She came from a long line of accomplished musicians and began her music training at 10 years old. Nadia Boulanger’s compositions, published between 1901 and l 922, comprise of 29 songs for solo singer and piano, nine larger vocal works, five works for instrumental solos, two orchestral works, and an opera. However, she stopped composing after the death of her younger sister Lili in 1918, but continued to teach. She influenced generations of young composers, especially those from the United States and other English speaking countries. Among her students were many important composers, soloists, arrangers, and conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Lennox Berkeley, ldil Biret, Elliott Carter, and Aaron Copland.
This man has had enough. His heart was like a stone But if somebody it-had opened Perhaps in this heart of a lover He would have seen the diamond But the stone was so heavy That he has lain-down by the path Holding it tight in his hands And he has died from his waiting This man has had enough. With him the jewel will die. Sir, Madam, it had come late, Make the sign of the cross and pass by.
Poet Camille Mauclair translated by Bard Suverkrop
John Jacob Niles, was an American folksinger, and composer of solo and choral songs. He came from a musical family, with family members teaching music theory at a young age. He was attracted to folk songs while working as a surveyor in the Appalachians. After World War I, he was educated at the music conservatories of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Schola Cantorum of Paris.
“Jasmine Flower” (mo li hua ) is a very famous Chinese folk song. The tune has been popular for over 3 00 years in the regions of the Yangtze River. As early as the late 18th century, this song spread to the West. Special thanks to Carol Ann Elze, who created this arrangement.
“What a beautiful jasmine flower Fragrant and beautiful, stems full of buds Fragrant and white, everyone praises Let me pick you up Give you to someone else ‘s home Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower.”
No one composer can be credited with the creation of the Korean folk song “Arrirang”. The words have changed with each reiteration over generations snd renditions can vary depending on the community singing the song. Experts estimate the total number of folk songs carrying title at some 3,600 variations belonging to about sixty versions. The song carried the Korean people through the brutal Japanese occupation, and the Korean War as a source of hope, unity and consolation. The song is an oral treasure of Korea. ”Arrirang” celebrates the endurance of the human spirit through trying times, human creativity, and love.
Arirang Arirang my love is gone He has crossed over the hill named Arrirang If he leaves me and does not return to me He will soon long for me oh Arirang Arirang Arirang my love is gone He has crossed over the hill named Arirang If he leaves me and does not return to me He will soon long for me oh Arirang Arirang
2019
2019 Arts Song Festival Recital at Skidmore College
2018
Le Violette from opera Pirro e Demetrio by Scaralatti
Lascia ch’io pianga