Stephen F.

Austin State University College of Fine Arts

School of Music Recital Series

presents

Of Snow, Ice, Burning

Sand.
A Graduate Recital

Zachary Thomas Newman,

Tenor
With Mary Cooper, piano
__________________________________________________________________
Wright Music Building Music Recital Hall
April 19, 2018 7:30 PM
Program Notes
Program
Considered by musicologists to be the first example of a song cycle, the six songs or
episodes of An die ferne Geliebte do not form a chronological narrative leading towards a
An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 Ludwig Van Beethoven conclusion. Beethoven himself called it Liederkreis an die ferne Geliebte, i.e. a circle or
Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend (1770-1827) ring of song, and it is so written that the theme of the first song reappears as the
conclusion of the last, forming a thematic circle. Unlike most popular song cycles, there
Wo die Berge so blau is no break between movements, but rather the music from each episode flows into the
Leichte Segler in den Höhen next creating the new mood.
Diese Wolken in den Höhen
In 1982, I composed Pied Piper Fantasy for flute and orchestra, a piece with stage action,
Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au inspired by the virtuosity of James Galway on the flute and the tin whistle. That was a
Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder fairy-tale work, bubbling with the humorous, sometimes sardonic personality of Mr.
Galway himself. Six years later, I tried to explore the more poetic side of Irish flute music
in these settings of folk or folk-like texts by W.B. Yeats, Padraic Colum and an
Three Irish Folksong Settings John Corigliano anonymous author. – John Corigliano
The Salley Gardens (b. 1938)
The Foggy Dew Idomeneo is considered one of Mozart’s most musically mature vocal works. First
She Moved Through the Fair premiered in 1781, this opera from a Giambattista Varesco libretto was commissioned by
Karl Theodor for a court carnival. In Idomeneo’s final aria he summarizes his reign as
assisted by Teresa Powell, flute king of Crete and says that he has found peace in his decision to keep Idamante alive by
passing the throne on to him.
“Popoli, a voi l’ultima legge… Torna la pace al core” W.A. Mozart
from Idomeneo (1756-1791) These melodies date, for the most part, from the heroic, romantic, and tragic epoch
bearing the name of the Polish Insurrection of 1831, or even the Insurrection of
November 29. Napoleonic wars, during which the Poles gave their lives for the Great
Brief Intermission (8 minutes) Emperor, Russia and the two other enemy empires, Germany and Austria, again seized
the unhappy country, unable to live in slavery. The “młodzież” gave the signal of the
Osiem piesńi polskich Francis Poulenc insurrection on November 29, 1831. They are the ones who rush first in the battlefields, it
is they who sing poems and melodies to encourage others and to affirm their heroic death.
Wianek (1899-1963) This short year forms a whole era in Polish literature, nicknamed "Romantic Poetry of the
Odjazd 1831 Uprising" The melodic line of these poems is for the most part popular with
Ploska młodzież unknown authors. Each melody contains a considerable number of stanzas in which the
Ostatni mazur story of the Uprising is told. – Maria Modrakowska
Pożegnanie
Of snow, ice, burning sand. is a song cycle setting the poetry of late-19th-Century
Biała choragiewka American author Stephen Crane. Crane’s poems (or “lines,” as he called them), while
Wisła stark and pessimistic, are not without humor, often showcasing his particular brand of
Jezioro dark comedy. The texts for this piece were taken from both of his collections of poetry—
The Black Riders and Other Lines and War is Kind—and are presented here as a cycle of
five poems that explore the absurdity of humanity’s sense of entitlement in an uncaring
Of Snow, Ice, Burning Sand. Joshua Alan Lindsay universe. The first song, “A man said to the universe...”, presents this main subject, and
A Man Said to the Universe (b. 1988) the songs following elaborate upon it. A theme is heard at the end of the first song that is
Futility both hinted at and plainly stated throughout the cycle, easily recognizable as the common
The Ball of Masonry melody of a child’s taunting—the universe responding to the vain declamations of man
The Good Knight with a jeery “What of it?” While this motive and others are used to mostly comical effect,
the cycle as a whole is rather bleak, particularly in the fourth and fifth movements. It ends
The Mirage defeated, the ever-present sing-song mocking carrying through to the final measure of the
piece. Of snow, ice, burning sand. was premiered in Nashville, TN in 2009 by Thomas
King, tenor, and Jeffrey Wood, piano. This will be the first performance of the cycle in its People, Idomeneo issues his last command to you as King. I proclaim peace. Completed
present form since being revised in 2016. – Joshua Alan Lindsay is the sacrifice, and rescinded the vow. Neptune and all the gods of this kingdom are now
friends. All that remains is for Idomeneo to obey their command. Here is another King
for you and me: to my son Idamante, my dear son, I surrender the throne of Crete,
together with the supreme power. Respect his commands and execute them obediently, as
Translations Translations

On the hill sit I, peering into the blue, hazy land, toward the far away pastures where I On the hill sit I, peering into the blue, hazy land, toward the far away pastures where I
you, beloved, found. Far am I, from you, parted, separating us are hill and valley between you, beloved, found. Far am I, from you, parted, separating us are hill and valley between
us and our peace, our happiness and our sorrow.Ah! The look can you not see, that to you us and our peace, our happiness and our sorrow.Ah! The look can you not see, that to you
so ardently rushes, and the sighs, they blow away in the space that separates us. Will then so ardently rushes, and the sighs, they blow away in the space that separates us. Will then
nothing more be able to reach you, nothing be messenger of love? I will sing, sing songs, nothing more be able to reach you, nothing be messenger of love? I will sing, sing songs,
that to you speak of my pain! For before the sound of love escapes every space and every that to you speak of my pain! For before the sound of love escapes every space and every
time, and a loving heart reaches, what a loving heart has consecrated! time, and a loving heart reaches, what a loving heart has consecrated!

Where the mountains so blue out of the foggy gray look down, where the sun dies, where Where the mountains so blue out of the foggy gray look down, where the sun dies, where
the cloud encircles, I wish I were there! There is the restful valley stilled are suffering the cloud encircles, I wish I were there! There is the restful valley stilled are suffering
and sorrow where in the rock quietly the primrose meditates, blows so lightly the wind, I and sorrow where in the rock quietly the primrose meditates, blows so lightly the wind, I
wish I were there! There to the thoughtful wood the power of love pushes me, inward wish I were there! There to the thoughtful wood the power of love pushes me, inward
sorrow. Ah! This moves me not from here, could I, dear, by you eternally be! sorrow. Ah! This moves me not from here, could I, dear, by you eternally be!

Light veils in the heights, and you, little brook, small and narrow, should my love spot Light veils in the heights, and you, little brook, small and narrow, should my love spot
you, greet her, from me, many thousand times. See you, clouds, her go then, meditating you, greet her, from me, many thousand times. See you, clouds, her go then, meditating
in the quiet valley, let my image stand before her in the airy heavenly hall. If she near the in the quiet valley, let my image stand before her in the airy heavenly hall. If she near the
bushes stands, now that autumn is faded and leafless, lament to her, what has happened to bushes stands, now that autumn is faded and leafless, lament to her, what has happened to
me, lament to her, little birds, my suffering! Quiet west, bring in the wind to my heart's me, lament to her, little birds, my suffering! Quiet west, bring in the wind to my heart's
chosen one my sighs, that pass as the last ray of the sun. Whisper to her of my love's chosen one my sighs, that pass as the last ray of the sun. Whisper to her of my love's
imploring, let her, little brook, small and narrow, truly, in your waves see my tears imploring, let her, little brook, small and narrow, truly, in your waves see my tears
without number! without number!

These clouds in the heights, these birds gaily passing, will see you, my beloved. These clouds in the heights, these birds gaily passing, will see you, my beloved.
Take me with you on your light flight! These west winds will play joking with you about Take me with you on your light flight! These west winds will play joking with you about
your cheek and breast, in the silky curls will dig. I share with you this pleasure! There to your cheek and breast, in the silky curls will dig. I share with you this pleasure! There to
you from this hill busily, the little brook hurries. If your image is reflected in it, flow back you from this hill busily, the little brook hurries. If your image is reflected in it, flow back
without delay! without delay!

May returns, the meadow blooms, the breezes they blow so softly, so mildly, May returns, the meadow blooms, the breezes they blow so softly, so mildly,
chattering, the brooks now run. The swallow, that returns to her hospitable roof, chattering, the brooks now run. The swallow, that returns to her hospitable roof,
she builds, so busily, her bridal chamber, love must dwell there. She brings, so busily, she builds, so busily, her bridal chamber, love must dwell there. She brings, so busily,
from all directions, many soft pieces for the bridal bed, many warm pieces for the little from all directions, many soft pieces for the bridal bed, many warm pieces for the little
ones. Now live the couple together so faithfully, what winter has separated is united by ones. Now live the couple together so faithfully, what winter has separated is united by
May, what loves, that he knows how to unite. May returns, the meadow blooms, the May, what loves, that he knows how to unite. May returns, the meadow blooms, the
breezes they blow so softly, so mildly, only I cannot go away from here. When all that breezes they blow so softly, so mildly, only I cannot go away from here. When all that
loves, the spring unites, only to our love no spring appears, and tears are our only loves, the spring unites, only to our love no spring appears, and tears are our only
consolation. consolation.

Take, then, these songs, that I to you, beloved, sang, sing them again in the evenings to Take, then, these songs, that I to you, beloved, sang, sing them again in the evenings to
the sweet sounds of the lute! When the red twilight then moves toward the calm, blue the sweet sounds of the lute! When the red twilight then moves toward the calm, blue
lake, and the last ray dies behind that hilltop; and you sing, what I have sung, what I, lake, and the last ray dies behind that hilltop; and you sing, what I have sung, what I,
from my full heart, artlessly have sounded, only aware of its longings. For before these from my full heart, artlessly have sounded, only aware of its longings. For before these
songs yields, what separates us so far, and a loving heart reaches for what a loving heart songs yields, what separates us so far, and a loving heart reaches for what a loving heart
has consecrated. has consecrated.
People, Idomeneo issues his last command to you as King. I proclaim peace. Completed O beautiful lake, your water is calm and pure, but on my head withered my crown, my
is the sacrifice, and rescinded the vow. Neptune and all the gods of this kingdom are now crown of rosemary. Yes, alas! All beautiful rosemary has lost it’s charming luster, I see
friends. All that remains is for Idomeneo to obey their command. Here is another King the leaves fall one by one.
for you and me: to my son Idamante, my dear son, I surrender the throne of Crete,
together with the supreme power. Respect his commands and execute them obediently, as
you have executed and respected mine, for which you have my thanks: this is the law. you have executed and respected mine, for which you have my thanks: this is the law.
Here for you is the royal bride. See in this lovely couple a gift from heaven reserved for Here for you is the royal bride. See in this lovely couple a gift from heaven reserved for
you. How much you have to look forward to! Oh, Fortunate Crete! How happy I am! you. How much you have to look forward to! Oh, Fortunate Crete! How happy I am!

Peace returns to my heart, my spent fervor returns, I am revitalized in my old age. Peace returns to my heart, my spent fervor returns, I am revitalized in my old age.

The Maiden The Maiden

The maiden is wrapped in tears that her beloved goes to Lublin. Because in Lublin there The maiden is wrapped in tears that her beloved goes to Lublin. Because in Lublin there
are lively men with swords. “Do not go Janek, death threatens you there, are lively men with swords. “Do not go Janek, death threatens you there,
Would you leave me alone and in pain?” “Rid yourself of torment, for I must serve the Would you leave me alone and in pain?” “Rid yourself of torment, for I must serve the
homeland” “So take your beloved with you, and if death takes you, we will die together” homeland” “So take your beloved with you, and if death takes you, we will die together”

Departure Departure
My horse is ready, it is time to leave! Goodbye Mother, goodbye Father. I cannot waste My horse is ready, it is time to leave! Goodbye Mother, goodbye Father. I cannot waste
my life on laziness, I do not have the time. Far off, I can hear trumpet and the sound of my life on laziness, I do not have the time. Far off, I can hear trumpet and the sound of
drums, farewell to my home, I leave you for better times, Bless me! drums, farewell to my home, I leave you for better times, Bless me!

The Polish Youth The Polish Youth

Let us live like the Polish youth whom nobody can equal. Their heads are solid, their Let us live like the Polish youth whom nobody can equal. Their heads are solid, their
hands can hold a sword. Busted, forgotten, and oppressed, we were afraid of our own hands can hold a sword. Busted, forgotten, and oppressed, we were afraid of our own
shadows and avoided our own brothers. Let everyone run to battle! If one of us dies, he shadows and avoided our own brothers. Let everyone run to battle! If one of us dies, he
will be reborn a thousand. The Polish always had hope in the Lord, He will inspire us and will be reborn a thousand. The Polish always had hope in the Lord, He will inspire us and
give us victory! give us victory!

The Last Mazurka The Last Mazurka

One more mazurka today, before the morning dawn, "Will you allow it?" the young uhlan One more mazurka today, before the morning dawn, "Will you allow it?" the young uhlan
asks. He begs her to dance and sweeps her onto the floor He leads her into the ball asks. He begs her to dance and sweeps her onto the floor He leads her into the ball
holding her tenderly their heels resound. She can barely defend herself. Her beautiful holding her tenderly their heels resound. She can barely defend herself. Her beautiful
eyes radiate. Do not get excited, a soldier is not faithful. He is called by the far-off sound eyes radiate. Do not get excited, a soldier is not faithful. He is called by the far-off sound
of guns and springs away on his horse. Do not cry, my dear. Let us finish our dance. One of guns and springs away on his horse. Do not cry, my dear. Let us finish our dance. One
more round in my arms. The trumpet calls, this is my last mazurka more round in my arms. The trumpet calls, this is my last mazurka

Farewell Farewell
See, my beautiful, this flaming spear. I’ll sing you tonight, a song that will be beautiful See, my beautiful, this flaming spear. I’ll sing you tonight, a song that will be beautiful
like you. And do not cry, be pleasant. Tears make things harder. God may bring him back like you. And do not cry, be pleasant. Tears make things harder. God may bring him back
or He may not. or He may not.

The White Flag The White Flag

The woman from Warsaw sewed a white flag for her lover, crying and praying to God. It The woman from Warsaw sewed a white flag for her lover, crying and praying to God. It
was all in vain, for he took his rifle then went off quickly with the others in battle. was all in vain, for he took his rifle then went off quickly with the others in battle.

The Vistula The Vistula

The Vistula flows on the Polish land. As long is it flows, Poland will not be lost. She saw The Vistula flows on the Polish land. As long is it flows, Poland will not be lost. She saw
Krakow and soon loved him because this Polish nation is so charming that when we love Krakow and soon loved him because this Polish nation is so charming that when we love
him, it is forever that we love him. him, it is forever that we love him.

Lake Lake
O beautiful lake, your water is calm and pure, but on my head withered my crown, my
crown of rosemary. Yes, alas! All beautiful rosemary has lost it’s charming luster, I see
the leaves fall one by one.