Dreams in War Time (2019) for soprano
and piano
ca. 10 minutes vocal range: D4-B5
Based on a poem by Amy Lowell, this set illustrates seven dreams by exploring various tempi, phrase structures, harmonic approaches, and accompaniment textures. When searching for a text, I had been drawn to the vivid – and quite abstract – imagery, which I felt suited the expressive capabilities of soprano Lauren Prestifilippo. Though short in length, each of the seven songs gives a taste of a different musical environment before cutting to a new scene, as dreams often do.
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I wandered through a house of many rooms.
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I dug a grave under an oak tree.
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I gambled with a silver money.
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I painted the leaves of bushes red
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I followed a procession of singing girls
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I wished to post a letter
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I had made a kite
Performance by Lauren Prestifilippo, soprano and Jacob LyteHaven, piano
Lee Chapel, Stetson University
April 10, 2021