niversity o Nebraska Lincoln DigitalCommons@niversity o Nebraska Lincoln Student Research, Creative Activity, and erormance School o Music Music, School o 52015 o seasons have I sung Charlie Letridge niversity o NebraskaLincoln, charlieletridge@gmail.com ollow this and additional works at: htt://digitalcommons.unl.edu/musicstudent art o the Comosition Commons Letridge, Charlie, "o seasons have I sung" (2015). Student Research, Creative Activity, and erormance School o Music. 8. htt://digitalcommons.unl.edu/musicstudent/8 This Article is brought to you or ree and oen access by the Music, School o at DigitalCommons@niversity o Nebraska Lincoln. It has been acceted or inclusion in Student Research, Creative Activity, and erormance School o Music by an authorized administrator o DigitalCommons@niversity o Nebraska Lincoln.
O SEASONS HAVE I SNG or double choir, antihonal soli, sorano and tenor solos and string quartet by Charlie Letridge A THESIS resented to the aculty o The Graduate College at the niversity o Nebraska In artial ulillment o Requirements or the Degree o Master o Music Maor: Music nder the Suervision o roessor Tyler Goodrich White Lincoln, Nebraska May, 2015
ii O SEASONS HAVE I SNG or double choir, antihonal soli, sorano and tenor solos and string quartet Adviser: Tyler Goodrich White Charlie Letridge, M.M. niversity o Nebraska, 2015 This cantata is comrised o seven movements: versus i. the willows (SAT double choir, SSAA antihonal soli and string quartet); versus ii. we once were (SA and string quartet); versus iii. when at night I see the sky (tenor solo and string quartet); versus iv. o seasons have I sung (unaccomanied SSAATT choir); versus v. i you should ask me (sorano solo and string quartet); versus vi. I once was (T and string quartet); versus vii. in aradisum (SAT double choir, SSAA antihonal soli and string quartet). The text set to music is the original oetry o the comoser. This iece reresents the human reaction to loss, exemliying the stages o grie and the ivotal role aith lays in inal accetance.
2015 Charlie Letridge iii
iv Acknowledgement I wish to exress my extreme gratitude to Dr. Tyler Goodrich White, my comosition roessor and mentor, and Dr. Therees Tkach Hibbard, my choir roessor and mentor. Without their atience, constructive criticism and encouragement this roect could not have been ossible.
v Table o Contents Multimedia Obects... vi o seasons have I sung Suggested Set Diagram... vii Cantata Texts...viii Instrumentation and Duration...x o seasons have I sung versus i...1 versus ii... 11 versus iii... 15 versus iv... 26 versus v... 3 versus vi... 5 versus vii... 9
vi Multimedia Obects o seasons have I sung Suggested Set Diagram... vii
vii Suggested Set Choir 1 Choir 2 String Quartet
viii Cantata Texts the willows o, touching new beneath the willows there, beneath the azure. oreheads kissed, our tremblings hid, wraed in a haven all our own. o, wonder silent I now ind you, wraed in earth and heaven. yet the willows kiss our heads and hide lone tremblings all the same. we once were when at night I see the sky visions now unwoven and careening dance unaltered in the list ning night. limitless no heed o breath now seeing what, araid, we once were in the light. when at night I see the sky such colors chasing colors in the rising heav'ns what me is there to see, unseen, the gath'ring o such things together rom within, a cry tears out o, endless in its grasing. and now I, above and yet below, seem ceaselessly here tethered. when at night I see the sky such colors shiting colors in the driting heav'ns my wand'rings turn to wond'rings in the silent ading hour. let without, a longing seaks o, wordless in its making. and now you, above and yet below, can hear no more its meaning.
ix o seasons have I sung i you should ask me I once was in aradisum o seasons have I sung, o wistless turnings, counted days and eervescent hours winding, yet a sill. o moments have I sun, o wilder breathing, oen ores and endlessness assuming windows all the same. yet through the oen anes, the wordless abric o my soul, the admonition o such images is hushed. yet You o seasons sing, o whisered turnings, countless days, the endless Love and in such quiet, I now see. i you should ask me, I shall be the grass beneath your eet no greater oy have souls o ages known than this. and when, with tides, my soul should gain a greater height to ind, so shall its ev ry woven ste be claimed by you. i you should ask me, I shall be the bough to which you cling no greater oy have souls o ages known than this. and when, with tides, your wand ring eet should new exanses ind, so shall I ollow ev n i there I ind you still, below. visions now unwoven and careening dance unaltered in the list ning night. limitless no heed o breath now seeing what, araid, I once was in the light. may you to aradise be led by those beore, rom resent light, to Light e er boundless and untold. may rat rous voices now with theirs your song embrace, and into endless rest receive you, with the Sun.
x Instrumentation Choir 1 Choir 2 Soli SAT SAT SSAA 16 20 singers (recommended) 16 20 singers (recommended) 1 singer er art String Quartet Duration: 20 22
Score versus i the willows 1 Charlie Letridge Violin I Violin II Viola Cello aassionato q = 2 2+3+2. b. 3 3. n 3 3. b.. n. n 3 3. b. ª ª b. n. 3 3 n. b. 3 3 n 3 3 n b 3 3 3 3 3 3. nb 3 3 n. n 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 bn n b 3 b bn 3 3 3 subito
S 1 +3. w 2 A 1 T 1 V π o, touch ing be neath the will ows there, new will ows there b. new 1 S 2 A 2 touch ing be neath the will ows there, n. touch ing be neath the will ows there b n. touch ing be neath the a zure.. T 2 V touch ing be neath the a zure. w 2 new dolce b 3 3 3 π 3 3 3 3 π 3 touch ing be neath the a zure... 3 3 3 π 3 dolce w 3 b b 3 π iano or rehearsal only b n.. π b. n
S 1 10 2+3+2 +3. 3 A 1 T 1 V o touching be neath the will ows there, b. n new will ows there 1 touching be neath the will ows there, n. S 2 touching be neath the will ows there A 2 T 2 V 2. 10. 10 n.. n b. 3 3 b b. n.. b. 3 3 n 3 3 n 3 3 b. n n
S. S 1 13 2+3+2 S 1 w o A 1 new T 1 V 1 S 2 A 2 T 2 2. V 13 13 b n. touching be neath the a zure.. touch ing be neath the a zure. w new touch ing be neath the a zure... b n... n b. 3 3 b b. n. 3 3 n b. b. 3 3 b n 3 3 n
S. S 1 S. S 2 16. n 3 3 b. n 3 3 b 5 5 5 S. A 1 b 3 o n b 3 5 S. A 2 ore heads kissed, b ore heads kissed, 3 our n our trem blings hid, b trem blings hid, 3 5 16 n 16 subito subito subito subito b n b b b b n 3 3 3 3 3 b b n. b. b. b n n n b n b n b n 3 3 3 3 3 n b. b.. b n n n esress. esress. n n esress. b b esress. n b 5 5 5 5 5. b 3 n b 3 5
S. S 1 S. S 2 S. A 1 S. A 2 T 1 21 V 2+3 5 5 5 5 5 b n. wraed in a mist y haven b n. wraed in a mist y hav en 3 3 3 3 3 3+2 5 5 5 5 5 b n all our own. b n all our own. 6 21 21 5 5 5 5 5 b n. 3 3 3 3 3 n b esress. esress. b n esress. b esress. n b 5 5 5 5 5 b o, n. 5 b n. 3 5 b n
S 1 2 2+3+2 2+2+3 b A 1 T 1 1 S 2 A 2 T 2 2. V V 2 2 si lent I now ind wonder silent I now ind wonder silent I now ind n wonder silent I now ind. 3 3 n you ind you. you ind you... you ind you wraed in earth and heav'n wraed in earth and heav'n and you wraed in earth and heav'n wraed in earth and heav'n and wraedin earth and heav'n wraedin earth and heav'n wraed in earth and heav'n. wraed in earth and heav'n. n b.. b n n
S. S 1 2 2+3+2 3. 8 3 S. S 2 o 3 3 S. A 1 3. o 3 S. A 2 S 1 3 3 yet. yet the the will ows will ows 3 3 A 1 3 3 S 2 3 3 A 2 heav'n. 3 3 heav'n. 2. 2... 3 3 3 3.. 3 3.. 3 3 3 subito 3 subito 3 subito 3 subito 3..... 3 3 3 3 3. 3. 3
S. S 1 S. S 2 S. A 1 S. A 2 31 3 3 3 3 31 3 3 3 3 31 3. kiss kiss our our heads heads... 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 esress. esress. esress. esress. n 2+3 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 and hide and hide and hide and hide 3 3 3 3 esress. 3 esress. 3 3 esress. 3 esress. n 3 9 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5. 3 3 5 3 5
S. S 1 S. S 2 S. A 1 S. A 2 S 1 A 1 T 1 1 S 2 A 2 T 2 2 36 V V 2+3 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 lone trem blings lone trem blings lone trem blings lone trem lone lone blings trem blings lone trem blings trem blings lone trem lone trem blings lone trem blings blings lone trem blings 3+2+2.... n w all the same.. n. all n w all the same. n w all the same. all the the. n b. all the n w all the 2+2+hold.... w. w. same. w. same. w. w. w. same. w. same. w. close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" close to "m" 10 36 5 5 5 5 lone trem blings all the same....... π π. π. π
versus ii 11 we once were reciitato e = 180198 = q. + q. + q + q Violin I 8 6ˆ2 detaché. Viola 8 6ˆ 2 izz. Cello 8 6ˆ2 izz. 8 6ˆ2 iano or rehearsal only. 8 6ˆ 2 ª ª. izz...
izz. arco.. 12. S A 10. ª ª vi sions now un wo ven and ca reen ing. dance un alt ered in the list' ning 10. 10
S A 13 night.. li mit less no li mit less heed o breath now no heed o breath now 13 izz. 13. 13
S 16.. 1 see ing what, a raid, we once were in the light. A... see ing what, a raid, we once were in the light. 16 izz.. 16. 16
versus iii when at night I see the sky 15 Violin I enseroso q. = 5260 6 8 Violin II 6 8.... Viola 6 8 Cello 6 8. ª ª 5 esress.........
...... 16..... ª ª 10...... esress...
12..... 1...... ª ª T. S. 15 V 15.. N................
T. S. V 20 rit. 3 q = 60 (;q. = q:) 18 when at 20.. 3..... 3 3...... 3 ª ª T. S. 2 V. night I see the ȯ. 2 æ π. sky ȯ. æ such co lors cha sing co lors in the ri sing ȯ. æ. ȯ. æ heav'ns. æ. æ. æ. æ..
T. S. V 29 19 what 29.. N.. ª ª T. S. 33 V me is there to see un.. seen the ga th'ring o such things to ge ther 33.....
T. S. V 3. rom with (;q = q.:) 6 8. in 20 a 3. 6 8. 6 8. 6 8.. ª ª 8 6. T. S. V 1.. o,. cry tears out end less 1 N..........
T. S. V 5.... 21 in its gra sing and 5 æ æ... æ. æ. æ... æ. æ. æ. b æ. æ. æ. ª ª T. S. 8 V q = 60 rubato. now I a bove and yet be low seem cea seless ly here.. 3 8 3 3 3 3
T. S. V 51 3 a temo 3. 22 tea thered. when at night I see the 51 3. 3 3. 3 3 3 3. 3 æ. ª ª T. S. 5 V sky such. co lors shi ting co lors in the dri ting heav'ns 5. æ. æ. æ..
T. S. V 58 23 my 58.. N.. ª ª T. S. 62 V N. wa n'drings turn to wo nd'rings in the si lent a ding hour. 62........
T. S. V 66 66... let with (;q = q.:) 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 8 6. out.... ª ª 2 a T. S. V 0... long 0 ing seaks word. o,.. less. in its.......... b
T. S. V 5 ma 5. æ. æ. æ. king. o.. æ æ π ª ª. æ. æ. æ π. æ π. æ π. æ and 25 T. S. V q = 60 rubato. now you a bove and.. yet be low can hear no more its mean ing. π π π π
versus iv o seasons have I sung 26 Alto Tenor V camminando q = 682 o sea sons have I sung,.. o ass o sea sons have I sung, o. iano or rehearsal only o sea sons have I sung, o.. ª ª A T 3 V wi stless turn ings,. count ed days and e er ve scent 3 3 wi stless turn ings, count ed days and e er ve scent. 3 3 wi stless wi stless turn ings, count ed days and e er ve scent. 3 3. 3
A 6 3., 2 T V 3 ho urs., wind ing wind ing, yet a sill. o 3 ho urs. wind ing wind ing,. 6 3 ho. urs, wind ing wind ing wind ing, yet a sill. o 6 3. ª ª S 11. wild er breath ing, A mo ments have I sun,. o wild er wild er breath ing, T V mo ments have I sun, have I sun, o wild er wild er breath ing, 11 11 mo ments have I sun, have I sun, wild mo ments have I sun,. mo ments have I. sun, sun,. er wild er breath ing
S A T V 1 o en ores and end less ness end less ness, a. o en ores. end less ness end less ness,. o en ores end less ness end less ness, a 3 3 3 a ssum ing a ssum ing a 28. 3 o enores end less ness end less ness, 1.. 3 1. 3
S 18 ssum ing 29 A ssum ing wind ows all the same. ssum ing wind ows all the same. T V wind ows all the same. yet wind ows all the same. 18 18
S A T V. n.. 21 through the o en through the o en anes, the o en anes, the o en anes, n. 5 5. 5 n. 5 n. through the o en through o en b. n. through the o en anes, the o en anes, the o en 30 21 5 n. 21 n.. n.. 5 n b.
S 2 nb. b n ȯ n 31 5 A anes, the word less a bric o my n soul, 5 anes, word less a bric o my soul, T V b subito 5 anes, word less a bric o my n nb.. anes, word less a bric o my soul, soul, the 5 2 nb. nb n 5 2 n nb.. subito 5
S 2 5 32 A 5 T V 5 n n the ad mon i tion o n n n n 5 ad mon it tion o such im ag es is subito n b hushed. is b the ad mon i tion o im ag es hushed. is 2 5 2 5 n n nn n b n b n
S 30 You o sea sons sing,. w 33 A T V a hushed. N yet You o sea sons yet You o sea sons sing, sing, You sing,. You sing, You You o sea sons sing, You. You sing,. sing, You sing, sing, sing, sing, o.. You sing, o hushed. You sing, You sing, You sing, o 30. 30 a N..
3 S 33 rall. 3, whis ered turn ings, count less days, the A 3, whis ered whis ered turn ings, count less days, the T V 3, whis ered turn ings count less days, the 3, whis ered whis ered turn ings, count less days, the 33 3 33 3
S 35. a temo 35 end less Love A end less. Love subito. and in such qui et, I now T V. end less Love.. end less Love 35... 35.. subito
S 39 rit. 36 A T V w see. π I π now see. w w I now π see. w I now see. 39 w 39 w π w
versus v i you should ask me 3 Sorano Solo intimo q = 6 5 3 + 2 i you should ask me. I shall be the grass be Violin I 5. Violin II 5. Viola 5 Cello 5
38 S. S. 3 neath your eet 3.... S. S. ª ª 6 2 + 3 3 + 2 no great er oy have souls o 6...
39 S. S. 8. a ges known than this. and when with 8... S. S. ª ª 10. tides my soul should gain. a grea ter height to ind 5 10. 5 5 5.. 5
0 S. S. 13 3 + 2 5 13 5.. 5.. 5. n S. S. 5. ª ª 1 3. so shall its. e v'ry wo ven 1. 3. 3.. 3. 3.
1 S. S. 18. 5 ste be claimed by you. 18. 5.. 5.. 5 S. S.. ª ª 23 3 + 2 5 i you should ask me. I shall be the bough to. which you cling 5 23 5.. 5. 5 5
2 S. S. 26 2 + 3 26... S. S. ª ª 3 + 2 29 n. no great er oy have souls o a ges known than this and when with 29. n... n. n. n
3 S. S. 32.. 3 + 2 5 32 tides your wa n'dring eet should new ex a. nses 5 ind,. n. 5 n.. S. S... ª ª 36 3 so shall 5 5. n. I oll n ow " 5 36. 3 " 5. 3.. " 5 3 3.. " 5 " 5
1 3 + 2 5 w 5 5.. 5 5. w 5 5... ª ª w 5 S. S. 5 5 rubato. w w ev'n i there I ind you still, be low. 5 5 w w 5 w w 5 w 5 w
versus vi 5 I once was reciitato e = 180198 = q. + q. + q + q Violin I 8 6ˆ 2 detaché. Viola 8 6ˆ 2 izz. Cello 8 6ˆ2 izz. 8 6ˆ 2 iano or rehearsal only. 8 6ˆ 2 ª ª. izz...
6 izz. arco.... ª ª T 10 V 10. dance un alt ered in the list' ning vi sions now un wo ven and ca reen ing 10. 10
T 13 V night.. li mit less no heed o breath now 13 li mit less no heed o breath now izz. 13. 13
8 T 16 V.. see ing what, a raid, I once was in the light. 16... see ing what, a raid, I once was in the light. 16 izz. 16. 16
9 versus vii in aradisum To erorm: All temoral and dynamic asects o each section are to be determined by the conductor. Each section is luid and does not have to match any other section. The antihonal soli will begin to oin the cello drone ater a desired amount o time, singing their ragments, ad libitum, beore ading away to let the choir begin singing. The ragments are not intended to line u in any seciic way. As such, they should vary in temo, hrasing and dynamic contrast. Choir 1 will sing the irst line o text, and Choir 2 the second. oth Choir 1 and 2 will sing the third and ourth lines. Violin I and II and the Viola will imitate the Choirs during the irst, second and ourth sections. The third line o text should be unaccomanied. The sustained voices and string itches, underinning the ragments, are to be held as long as the conductor desires. The cello should ade in and out tacitly. The ragments may be erormed by any voice art o the Choir that is not resently singing ater the irst (Choir 2) or second (Choir 1) line o text. This should be done sotto voce, in a comortable octave. To end the iece, the voices will close to the "n" o "Sun" and diminish. The conductor will then release the voices with the Violins and the Viola, allowing the cello drone to remain, beore inally ading into nothing.
versus vii in aradisum 50 Cello intimo w n ª ª S 1 2 ragments: (to be erormed ad libitum, each line in its own ree temo and hrasing shae, not to match the other lines). ah. S 2.. (A. Soli) A 1 ah.. ah A 2.. ah w w n n
51 SA (Choir) T 3 3 Choir 1 (suggested rhythm).. may you to ar a dise be led by those be π π π Con sord. Con sord. Con sord......... W n
52 S 1 S 2 (A. Soli) A 1 A 2 SA (Choir) T ragments. ah. ww ore, w ah. ah. ah.... w w w n
53 SA (Choir) T 5 5 Choir 2.. rom re sent light, to Light e'er bound less and un π π π........ W n
5 S 1 S 2 (A. Soli) A 1 A 2 SA (Choir) T 6 6 ragments. ah. ww told. w ah. ah. ah.... 6 w w w n n
55 SA (Choir) T Choirs 1 2 (no strings).. may rat' rous voi ces now with theirs your song em.. ª ª SA 8 ww (Choir) T brace, w 8 ragments π.. π... π. n
56 SA (Choir) T 9 Choirs 1 2.. and in to end less rest re ceive you, with the.. 9 π π.... π.. W n
5 S 1 10 ragments.. ah S 2 (A. Soli) A 1. ah... ah A 2. ah. SA (Choir) T 10 ww Sun. w close to "n" close to "n" 10 w w w n
58 11 w n