Venus Transiens (Soprano and Organ) Studio Recording

Venus Transiens is my first piece for solo voice. After completing a variety of choral works, I wanted to focus on melodic writing. The imagist text by Amy Lowell compares the beauty of a woman to Botticelli’s famous painting, The Birth of Venus. Lowell utilizes the painting and her own imagery to create an aura of ecstasy and sublime beauty, sentiments I sought to capture in this piece.Text:Tell me,Was Venus more beautifulThan you are,When she stoppedThe crinkled waves, Drifting shorewardOn her plaited shell?Was Botticelli’s visionFairer than mine;And were the pointed rosebuds He tossed his ladyOf better worthThan the words I blow about youTo cover your too great lovelinessAs with a gauzeOf misted silver?For me,You stand poisedIn the blue and buoyant air,Cinctured by bright winds, Treading the sunlight.And the waves which precede youRipple and stirThe sands at my feet.

Venus Transiens (Soprano and Organ) Studio Recording

i could definitely sense the beauty within the piece. there was also some really mysterious qualities to the piece which made it so much more interesting to listen to. I really like the contrast between the soprano singer and the organ playing.

First off. This is a great piece. The organ perfectly simulates the ocean. Plus the soprano is tremendously talented as I can hear. The lyrics are very nice and I think that you might be a very good in the areas for writing operas. 10/10!!

Wonderful piece! It all works together very well. A superb soprano that works well with the organ giving a pleasing contrast which results in an inspirational result.

This is gorgeous. One of the best pieces for solo soprano that I've heard EVER.

The decision for a mezzo was a good one as well, as the notes sung with that type of voice work well.

The notes and chordal progressions are fantastic and mirror the strange yet beautiful words.

Loved it. Keep up the good work!

Thank you all for the compliments! I appreciate your feedback.

@timberM618: I'm glad that there was a mysterious quality evident for you. Given that Venus is a goddess, I thought the piece could use a touch of mystery to evoke a sense of the divine or celestial. I did this by using a minor third scale degree in an otherwise major scale, which adds some intervalic interest.

I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to my soprano friend. She is indeed quite talented!

This is truly beautiful music. It's very well constructed, and has good momentum throughout. Your "organ-stration" is commendable. However, I think you might call this a piece for soprano, rather than mezzo. While this singer clearly does alright with such a high tessitura, your standard mezzo repertoire sits a good third lower than this. A dramatic soprano, on the other hand, would sing this with little to no trouble at all.

Also - check some of her pitches - they're occasionally slightly off. Great job with the piece!

I absolutely enjoyed this!!!! As somebody writing for voice, this is simply breath-taking!!!!!!!! I love the organ, I love the voice, I love the timbre, I love how it works with the organ, I simply love all of it.

Oh my: this is incredible! O_O The beautiful and surreal harmonies and incredible melody make for one of the most wonderful choral works I've ever heard. Wow. 10/10 and favorite...

Thanks for sharing *_*

jason!

i can't believe it, you're still active in the forum.

congratulations for your first solo piece. you were really really great. :happy:

jason!

i can't believe it, you're still active in the forum.

congratulations for your first solo piece. you were really really great. :happy:

jason!

i can't believe it, you're still active in the forum.

congratulations for your first solo piece. you were really really great. :happy:

Beautiful!