Becoming A Redwood

Song Cycle: The Song (after Rilke); Pentecost; Curriculum Vitae; Becoming A Redwood

2003 | high voice and piano

Poems by Dana Gioia, cycle runs about 14 minutes.

The newly orchestrated version for chamber orchestra will be available after  February 5, 2023, when the Sonoma County Philharmonic under conductor Norman Gamboa will premiere the work with tenor Chad Somers.

Orchestration is comprised of 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 1 Trumpet, 1 Horn, Soprano, and a string section comprised of the usual Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello and Bass.

ERRATA - some of these mistakes are only in the new editions

SONG 1: 

m. 28 — the poco rit from m. 27 should begin in this measure instead

m. 53 - the correct word is "interrupted" not "terterrupted"

SONG 3:

added "sprightly" at the start to indicate character for this song

SONG 4: 

m. 43 piano part: the 8va should be over beats 2 and 3 of m. 43 and beat 1 of m. 44 NOT over 2 and 3 of 44 and beat 1 of m. 45

m. 77 - the relax should start on beat 2

In Song 4, at m. 61, the quarter note should equal 100 (not 108)

Also the word on the downbeat of m. 61 should be "old"

To purchase the CD featuring these songs, performed by Barbara Quintiliani and Lori Laitman, please click here

Becoming A Redwood

2003 | high voice and piano;

Poem by Dana Gioia.

Song 4 of cycle Becoming a Redwood.

After February 5, 2023, two new orchestrated versions will be available.

1) for high voice with chamber orchestra

2) for high voice with full orchestra, arranged by composer Diana Rosenblum.

To purchase Barbara Quintiliani and Lori Laitman performing this song, please click here

ERRATA: 

A newer edition (with a photo of redwood trees on the cover) is available on my site at MusicaNeo.com. If you have an older edition, you can always contact me for a free update. And there one additional change to the tempo at m. 61. Quarter note should =100 not 108. Of course, everything is always flexible anyway.

Also the word on the downbeat of m. 61 should be "old"

Being Happy

_2004 | baritone/piano

Poem by Dana Gioia, 2 minutes long.

To purchase Lee Poulis and Lori Laitman performing this song, please click here.

Curriculum Vitae

2003 | high voice and piano; [in progress] high voice with chamber orchestra

Poem by Dana Gioia.

Song 3 of cycle Becoming a Redwood.

To purchase Barbara Quintiliani and Lori Laitman performing this song, please click here

Equations of the Light

2005 | high voice and piano or duet versions for either soprano/baritone or soprano/tenor with piano

Poem by Dana Gioia. Duet about 4.5 minutes. Commissioned by The West Chester University Poetry Conference 2005.

Click here to purchase an mp3 from Amazon.

Marriage of Many Years

2018| soprano/piano

Poem by Dana Gioia

Soprano Maureen McKay and I recently recorded it for release on an upcoming CD.

To hear the poet reciting the poem, please click here to watch a short film by the poet's son Mike Gioia.

Money

2003 | any voice and piano/also duet setting for soprano/baritone/piano

Poem by Dana Gioia, about 2 minutes for the song.

To hear Dana Gioia reciting the poem, followed by a terrific rendition by Shana Blake Hill, Nmon Ford and Victoria Kirsch, please click here. The Money performance closes the show and starts at 1:27:40.

ERRATA:

In September of 2016, I noticed several discrepancies between the accompaniment for the solo and duet version. Regarding the opening piano solo, please follow the dynamics printed in the solo version.

Some prior versions of the duet might have an incorrect duration in the soprano for beat 1 of m. 52. It should be a dotted quarter.

Pentecost

2003 | high voice and piano; [in progress] high voice with chamber orchestra

Poem by Dana Gioia.

Song 2 of cycle Becoming a Redwood.

Click here to purchase an mp3 from Amazon.

Click here to watch Lori Laitman and soprano Jennifer Holbrook perform “Pentecost.”

A Note about Tempo Alterations:

In my original, I used "push" and "relax" throughout to indicate how flexible I envisioned the tempo of this song. Now, in 2019, I am revising the markings, and instead of such detailed (and possibly confusing) markings, I am simply putting "rubato, extremely expressive, with a lot of push and relax throughout" — and trust that the performers will do whatever is necessary for an emotional reading.

NEW: Some alternate notes for mm. 43-45: in mm. 43-44, one can sing an Eb (3rd down) instead of the high Gs, but keep the low G. And in m. 45, the top notes can similarly be taken down a 3rd: so that the notes would be: Eb - low G (as written) - Eb - G (instead of high Bb) - Eb. Hope this is helpful to anyone who might need help.

Scissors, Don't Cut Away

2011 | tenor/piano

A motet by Eugenio Montale, in translation by Dana Gioia.

Song 3 of cycle Dark Spring

The Apple Orchard

2004 | Versions for tenor, baritone or soprano with piano

Poem by Dana Gioia, about 3.5 minutes total.

View and buy printable sheet music (PDF) for tenor, baritone or sopranowith piano

Listen to a performance of this piece on YouTube, thanks to Albany Records.

To watch the wonderful baritone rendition by Shea Owens and Roxana Ionescu-Beck please click here.

Click here to purchase an mp3 from Amazon.