Art Songs and Arias: High Voice [Paperback]

Aaron Copland (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

21 art songs, plus 4 arias in the High Voice volume, or 3 arias in the Medium/Low Voice volume. Art song contents for both High and Medium/Low Voice: Dirge in Woods * Old Poel * Pastorale * Poet's Song * Vocalise * Four Early Songs; Night * A Summer Vacation * My Heart Is in the East * Alone * Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson (complete; original keys retained for both High and Medium/Low). Arias in the High Voice edition: Laurie's Song (The Tender Land) * Martin's Song (The Tender Land) * The sun is coming up (The Tender Land) * Queenie's Song (The Second Hurricane) * Arias in the Medium/Low edition: Ma's Song (The Tender Land) * Fat's Song (The Second Hurricane) * Gyp's Song (The Second Hurricane).

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: BOOSEY & HAWKES US (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423452720
• ISBN-13: 978-1423452720
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Modern & 20th Century

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in 20th Century American Art Song literature, January 8, 2008

By 

Priscilla Stilwell "Music Is Life..." (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Art Songs and Arias: High Voice (Paperback)

When it comes to American art song repertoire, Aaron Copland sets the standard for all others. This is pretty much the best and most complete selection of Copeland art songs and high-voice arias that I was able to find. This edition includes the Emily Dickinson songs and his vocalise that is not readily available in other compilations. this book is worth every penny or the selection of music it offers. It is an essential component of every soprano's library.

The difficulty of this 20th Century American Art Song repertoire is deceptive, since the music mirrors the trend of minimalism that was so prevelant during the time that Copland was composing. The pieces use a wide range of atonal melodies and open fourths and fifths to create what might be seen as a dissonant sound.

The Dickinson poems are a barely-connected cycle of songs based on twelve poems written by the beloved poet, Emily Dickinson. The vocal tricks used by Copland include a sort of hockett ("hick-up"), jumps of a tenth, and a sparse accompaniament that leaves the voice quite exposed. In order to sing these pieces (which the composer wished to be sung in a cycle, or back-to-back), the vocalist must have a solid technique, excellent pitch accuracy and great interpretative abilities. It would be a great benefit for any soloist to add the entire cycle to their repertoire in order to have it available for use as a focal or pivotal point of a recital.