Six songs for tenor and orchestra
Music Text Byron, James Stephens, Lawrence Durrell, Bernard Spencer, James Elroy Flecker, Shelley (E)
Scoring2(II=picc).1.corA.2(II=bcl).2-4.2.0.0-timp-perc(3):gong/SD/xyl/BD/
cyms/tgl/glsp/susp.cym-harp-strings
World Premiere5/20/1959
Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York, New York
Patricia Neway, soprano / Mannes Orchestra / Carl Bamberger
Repertoire Note
These six settings of English poets for tenor and orchestra formed Goldschmidt’s last work before he virtually abandoned composition until the 1980s. They reveal his lyrical gifts in full flow and have an atmospheric sweep that perfectly matches the poetry’s mythical and evocative images of ancient Greek brides, stamping centaurs and pirate ships. The writing for the voice is both grateful and sensitive and the glowing orchestration expertly surrounds and compliments the vocal line, making
Mediterranean Songs a substantial and valuable addition to the genre of the orchestral song-cycle.
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