October 16, 200916 yr Another song, with lyrics from a poem by Thomas Hardy. "Let Me Enjoy!" I wrote this song for my sister's undergraduate senior vocal recital, she will be singing it along with two of my other songs. One of my first experiences writing with a deadline! Let Me Enjoy I Let me enjoy the earth no less Because the all-enacting Might That fashioned forth its loveliness Had other aims than my delight. II About my path there flits a Fair, Who throws me not a word or sign; I'll charm me with her ignoring air, And laud the lips not meant for mine. III From manuscripts of moving song Inspired by scenes and dreams unknown I'll pour out raptures that belong To others, as they were my own. IV And some day hence, towards Paradise And all its blest -- if such should be -- I will lift glad, afar-off eyes Though it contain no place for me. - Thomas Hardy Comments appreciated! Let Me Enjoy.pdf Let Me Enjoy (Final).MUS
October 16, 200916 yr For the sheet music, remember that your dynamics on the vocal part should be placed above the staff. Also, you have "un-unknown" in the score (that measure is a little bit awkward anyway because of the incorrect syllabic emphasis, but hopefully that was intended?). Overall a very very interesting song. I loved the structure it had and the two motives that you switched between. I love 57-60 in the piano part, though, and which that had been extended a little bit. Pretty sure that's just me, though.
October 16, 200916 yr This is fantastic stuff! I like the extended/altered verse structure you have going on. It sits very nicely in the soprano's most comfortable tessitura; there should be few technical stumbling blocks to hinder a good performance. In addition, the range would fit nicely for a high-voiced mezzo, or even a lyric tenor or baritone if transposed down an octave. While a show-off singer might prefer some higher notes to show off her upper register, this restricted range is perfect for a widely-accessible art song. There are a few inaccuracies/messy spots in the score - nothing major. I'm also curious about the placement of your dynamics/hairpins/etc. for the vocal line. Sometimes they are above the staff, sometimes below; does the placement mean something?
October 17, 200916 yr Author Thank you both for the comments! I will correct un-unknown, and I suppose I will go ahead and put the vocal dynamic markings above the staff. It just seems so strange to me - it never looks right. My sister, for whom the song is written, is always pressuring me to write fairly strictly within her tessitura, so this is one of the first songs where i actually DID so.
October 17, 200916 yr Author She is also singing "Neutral Tones:" http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/neutral-tones-19219.html and "The Man He Killed," which I wrote about 3 years ago. (It's within this set of songs): http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/great-things-poems-thomas-hardy-13524.html Thanks for asking!
