Dream Variations for tenor and piano (2010)
texts by Langston Hughes, Angelina W. Grimke, and Arna Bontemps
i Dream Variations (Hughes)
ii The Black Finger (Grimke)
iii Southern Mansion (Bontemps)
iv Dream (Hughes)
12 minutes
Written for Lonel Woods at his request, these songs draw on poetry of the Harlem Renaissance movement. In addition to the theme of dreams which frames the set, the image of “a tall slim tree” recurs in the second and third songs—but the poplars of the third song are more disturbing than beautiful. All four poems exemplify the lyricism, the formal discipline, and the emotional power of Harlem Renaissance artists.
texts by Langston Hughes, Angelina W. Grimke, and Arna Bontemps
i Dream Variations (Hughes)
ii The Black Finger (Grimke)
iii Southern Mansion (Bontemps)
iv Dream (Hughes)
12 minutes
Written for Lonel Woods at his request, these songs draw on poetry of the Harlem Renaissance movement. In addition to the theme of dreams which frames the set, the image of “a tall slim tree” recurs in the second and third songs—but the poplars of the third song are more disturbing than beautiful. All four poems exemplify the lyricism, the formal discipline, and the emotional power of Harlem Renaissance artists.