Product Description
Ben-Amots: The Joyce Cycle (1986)
James Joyce's collection of 36 love poems titled Chamber Music has been a source of inspiration to many composers. From these, Ben-Amots has set nine for medium voice and piano (later orchestrated--see below), in a style he characterizes as "neo-romantic" to match the deliberate archaicism of Joyce's language. The songs are meant to be sung as a complete cycle, but these complex and beautiful settings may be performed independently.
1. O Sweetheart... The lover finds solace in love "when friends him fail."
2. My love is in a light attire... He admires the sight of his love walking through an orchard.
3. My dove my beautiful one... In language reminiscent of the Song of Songs, he bids her arise.
4. Rain has fallen... They seek shelter on a rainy day.
5. Sleep Now, O Sleep Now... The lover's "unquiet heart" is calmed with a kiss.
6. It was out by Donnycarney... A cheerful "folksong," sealed with another kiss.
7. Winds of May... By the turbulent sea, the loved one has disappeared.
8. I Hear an Army... Giving way to despair the lover dreams of an army ferociously charging up out of the depths. But...
9. From Dewy dreams... It was just a dream, after all.
For part and performance materials please contact thecomposerspress@gmail.com
* The poems, out of James Joyces "Chamber Music," are in the public domain.
Duration: ~ 25 min.
Performance material by rental only! For demo recording, questions, or any additional information please e-mail Ofer Ben-Amots at: thecomposerspress@gmail.com
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.