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Three Short Songs For soprano and vibraphone 2014

A Dream Welcome Sweet Pleasure Sleep, Darksome, Deep

David Dean Mendoza

Program Notes Three Short Songs for soprano and vibraphone was written in the summer 2014 for the Resound Duo. For the source material of this composition, I chose three contrasting poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Thomas Weekles, and Paul Verlaine. In order to fuse these different texts, I used modal patterns based on the pitch D.

Performance Notes The performers may be as dramatic as they wish. They may exaggerate the performance with consumes and lighting. Generally, the use of mallet is left to the performer, but legato articulations should be preferred. The vibraphone should accompany the soprano and never over power her. Bent notes are executed by striking the bar with a medium/soft mallet then quickly using a hard mallet to slide outward on the bar away from the performer. This will most likely make a half step gliss/bend on the note. In addition, measures 50-51, 61-63, and similar measures are rhythmically the same as ¾.

A Dream By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

That was a curious dream; I thought the three Great planets that are drawing near the sun With such unerring certainty begun To talk together in a mighty glee. They spoke of vast convulsions which would be Throughout the solar system—the rare fun Of watching haughty stars drop, one by one, And vanish in a seething vapour sea. I thought I heard them comment on the earth— That small dark object—doomed beyond a doubt. They wondered if live creatures moved about Its tiny surface, deeming it of worth. And then they laughed—’twas such a singing shout That I awoke and joined too in their mirth.

Welcome Sweet Pleasure Ballets and Madrigals to Five Voices By Thomas Weekles (1598)

Welcome, sweet pleasure, My wealth and treasure; To haste our playing There’s no delaying, No no! This mirth delights me When sorrow frights me. Then sing we all Fa la la la la! Sorrow, content thee, Mirth must prevent thee: Though much thou grievest Thou none relieves. No no! Joy, come delight me, Though sorrow spite me. Then sing we all Fa la la la la! Grief is disdainful, Sottish and painful: Then wait on pleasure, And lose no leisure. No no! Heart’s ease it lendeth And comfort sendeth

Sleep, Darksome, Deep By Paul Verlaine

Sleep, darksome, deep, Doth on me fall: Vain hopes all, sleep, Sleep, yearnings all!

Lo, I grow blind! Lo, right and wrong Fade to my mind… O sorry song!

A cradle, I, Rocked in a grave: Speak low, pass by, Silence I crave!

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