I have an assignment for a music class: Write a Song. Not a pop song, not a rock song, but a Romantic song, in the style of Schubert, Schumann and Mendelssohn.
These types of songs are based around popular poetic verse, and I need some suggestions for that. The requirements are that the poetry must be in English or Spanish (I DO NOT want to set anything in German), and it has to be from the 19th century or early 20th. Other than that, nearly anything goes.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Make a rap song based on Beowulf.
Wait....that might be a little early....
Posted by boogashaga (Member # 8881) on :
Orincoro--Maybe you could try something from George Gordon Lord Byron (1788-1824). Might I recommend "And Thou Art Dead, As Young And Fair?" It has 8 stanzas, but you do not have to set them all. This poem is believed to have been written for a deceased young protege of Byron's. It would give you a chance to express the poem in minor keys, modes, etc., due to the subject matter.
Also, if that sort of morbidity intrests you, look also at Karl J. Shapiro's "Elergy For A Dead Soldier." Too many high school & college composers have a tendancy to select the same material to set to music due to their lack of poetical experience. Your asking could be thought by some to indicate your higher IQ. On the other hand, some might just say that you're lazy.
Maybe someone here at Hatrack could give you something; there are a lot of talented people here. Boogashaga daughter (Version 1.0), is in the honors program at her university and minoring in creative writing. She has an awful lot of really good poetry (this is, of course, from a totally objective Dad!!). Would you be interested, or are you up against the clock with this assignment? Don't be afraid to do something weird/different. That always seemed to work well for me.
Good luck, sir!
Posted by Lissande (Member # 350) on :
Was your daughter writing in the 19th or early 20th century, boogashaga? She's a classic already! Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by boogashaga: Your asking could be thought by some to indicate your higher IQ. On the other hand, some might just say that you're lazy.
Are the two mutually exclusive? I think not sir!
The jury is out on "New" poetry. If your daughter would like to throw a work in for consideration I will certainly look at it, and might use it, I have a few weeks yet, we are in the exploration phase of the assignment
Posted by boogashaga (Member # 8881) on :
When Booga daughter (Version 1.0) wrote her first poem that I was aware of, it was in grade school (grade 2,3, or 4)and was about George Washington. Mrs. Booga read it one evening (we have always gone over the homework) and told her that she couldn't copy someone else's work and pass it off as her own. Daughter got sort of mad and I never saw the poem again. That was when she started hiding stuff that she wrote.
As far as being brilliant AND lazy, I can testify to you that it is all that it's cracked up to be, sir.
I am currently working on a fugal piece for a Xmas program for the Ward Choir. Writing for the restrictions of the Ward Choir is a challenge in and of itself. My theme is only 4 bars long (in 2/2), for example.
Good luck on your assignment. Keep us informed!
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Make an Enya-like song called Orincoro Flow.
Posted by Raventhief (Member # 9002) on :
Purple Cow. Definitely go with Purple Cow. Or the Dead Brothers' Duel.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Put some music to Orc songs out of Tolkien.
Oh, wait. They did that in the cartoon version. I still remember "Where there's a whip (boom crack) there's a way!" What's more romantic than that?
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
I'm partial to A. E. Housman within that time frame, but Purple Cow is also good. Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
If thou must love me, let it be for nought Except for love's sake only. Do not say I love her for her smile--her look--her way Of speaking gently,--for a trick of thought That falls in well with mine, and certes brought A sense of ease on such a day-- For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may Be changed, or change for thee,--and love, so wrought, May be unwrought so. Neither love me for Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheek dry,-- A creature might forget to weep, who bore Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby! But love me for love's sake, that evermore Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity
-- Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Pixiest: Make an Enya-like song called Orincoro Flow.
Somehow I don't see that happening.
Posted by boogashaga (Member # 8881) on :
Orincoro--Booga daughter (Version 1.0) says "no go" to the idea of using her poetry for your art song. Sorry, sir. Maybe next year!
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Are the two mutually exclusive? I think not sir!