The Seafarer (2006)
The Seafarer presents an Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name in an unusual context. The poem is spoken by a cellist, who also plays accompanying music. The piece was originally written for No Signal cellist Rachel Gawell. A film adaptation of the piece, directed by my collaborator Michael Feldman, is in post-production.
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (2006 rev. 2009)
Zachary Herchen, my long-time collaborator, dear friend and co-artistic director of No Signal, asked me for a piece that would kill him. So instead of just giving him a technically challenging showpiece, which I did in the first movement, I made him act. He plays half of the poem on the instrument, and recites the rest. This piece has also been done on alto flute by the very talented Mimi Stillman of Dolce Suono in Philadelphia.
The Stain of Love (2008)
Jason Buckwalter, a wonderfully talented baritone and frequent collaborator, commissioned The Stain of Love, based on five poems by William Carlos Williams. These pieces require a lot from the singer as an actor, even in the context of a cycle of art songs. He’s performed the songs a number of times and made a lovely recording.
Scenes and Songs from Yeats (2006)
This piece for baritone and piano requires acting from both performers, and was written for Jason Buckwalter also. The Yeats poems’ set are Fergus and the Druid, The Lake Isle of Innisfree, and He Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven. At least one of them isn’t incredibly famous.
