The Lake (Shirley, Nathan)

Sheet Music

Scores and Parts

PDF typeset by composer
Nws (2017/10/13)

PDF typeset by composer
Nws (2017/10/13)

Publisher. Info. Marsyas Music, 2005.
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General Information

Work Title The Lake
Alternative. Title
Composer Shirley, Nathan
I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No. INS 16
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 2005
First Publication. 2005
Librettist Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
Language English
Average DurationAvg. Duration 5 minutes
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Modern
Piece Style Modern
Instrumentation soprano, piano

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Edgar Allan Poe’s The Lake was first published in 1827, inspired by a trip to Lake Drummond in The Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina.

In setting this poem to music, I left the text completely unaltered. Though the general feel is dark and subdued, the piano part constantly jumps quickly and softly over the entire range of the keyboard as it depicts the dark waters of the Lake. The piano often only hints at the vocal line -- as a ghostly shadow coming and going. The singer must have a sharp ear in order to navigate this strange twisting melody. The version presented here was recorded in an experimental way to give the piece a unique yet modern atmosphere.