Instrumentation
soprano [vocal range A3-A5], viola, and percussion
Duration
15 minutes
Program Note
Djuna Barnes (1892–1982) was an American writer, journalist and artist. Best known for her 1936 novel Nightwood and her final work, a verse play entitled The Antiphon, this piece sets to music five of her tragically little-known poems.
The character of the first movement is largely militaristic, opening with a snare drum solo that then evolves into a duet for viola and marimba, reminiscent of a march. Above this, the soprano sings of a drummer boy, who, though “he has no music in his heart,” still “plays quite well.” Contrastingly, the texts of the second and fourth movements are terse and pithy, offering a glimpse of Barnes’ signature wit amid frenetic accompaniment. Between these lies the emotional core of the work, a delicately unfolding memorial to a lost love that grows to a climax before fading away, ending almost in a state of stasis. A meandering, plaintive viola line somewhat in the manner of Morton Feldman sets the tone of the finale, which ends the work on a tragic note, with the soprano sinking down to a whisper, and a soft roll from the percussion.
Five Songs was awarded first prize in the 2022 Cleveland Composer’s Guild Collegiate Composition Competition.
Selected Performances
Alessia Jensen, soprano; Pablo Ronderos, viola; Jack Fischer, percussion
April 6, 2024
Cleveland Institute of Music (Cleveland, OH)
Alessia Jensen, soprano; Pablo Ronderos, viola; Jack Fischer, percussion
January 29, 2023
West Shore Unitarian Church (Rocky River, OH)
Alessia Jensen, soprano; Pablo Ronderos, viola; Jack Fischer, percussion
November 14, 2021 (World Premiere)
Cleveland Institute of Music (Cleveland, OH)
Tristan Wilson 