Small Ensemble Flute,Keyboard,Voice - Level 5 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1005681
Composed by Grace Joy Reid. 20th Century,Contemporary. Score and parts. 9 pages. Creating Music Joy #6197023. Published by Creating Music Joy (A0.1005681).
My original song, Poe's Christmas Eve Carousel Ride, is a microtonal melody for Celesta and/or Flute/Voice, based on Edgar Allan Poe's Evening Star.I imagined Edgar Allan Poe sitting on one of the carousel horses as it was going around and around. While this was happening, he was looking up at the night sky and thought about how much he liked the evening star better than the moon's light. (The celesta is known for its recognized sound in Tchaikovsky's, The Nutcracker Suite, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.). I figured out how to put it in a quartal tone key in Finale, thanks to Google. I used quartal tones in the left hand, so it's a blend of a tonal melodic line in an atonal landscape. Edgar Allan Poe had a horrific life. His father abandoned his family when he was young. His mother died when he was a child. After he was adopted, although not legally, he had a falling out with his foster father, who alienated him and didn't let him know that his foster mother was dying. But, he did inform him after she died. Edgar married his cousin, Virginia Clem, who was 13 and he was 26. She died 11 years into their marriage due to tuberculosis. Thus, some writers say that all of his writings have a beautiful woman who died in his stories. He lost all of the women who loved him in his life. When you see his portrait, he has sad eyes, as someone who has suffered much. But, his writing has lived well beyond his lifetime of misery and heartache. My song symbolizes, not only Poe's poem, but his life, as very difficult, yet beautiful. With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion. Edgar Allan Poe. Warning: Before purchasing this music, make sure that you know how to use quartal tones in your keyboard.