CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE. Melody of Love and Suffering

Transcription

1 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE Melody of Love and Suffering A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Music in Music, Performance By Doudou Mao May 2016

2 The Graduate Project of Doudou Mao is approved: Dr. David Sannerud Date Dr. Linda Stones Date Dr. Deanna Murray, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii

3 Table of Contents Signature Page ii Abstract iv Program 1 Appendix 12 iii

4 ABSTRACT Melody of Love and Suffering By Doudou Mao Master of Music in Music, Performance The repertoire of this recital was selected to fulfill my Master of Music in Voice, and to create the illusion of fluid and melodic lines in music and poetry. Pieces are arranged by chronological period, which stretch from the Baroque period including Giovanni Bononcini, Alessandro Scarlatti, Henry Purcell, to the Romantic era including Johannes Brahms, Gabriel Fauré, and Georges Bizet. All selections are chosen to describe the emotions of love and suffering as the primary theme, which are expressed via melodic varieties and lyrical descriptions. The recital starts with the Baroque period aria Per la gloria d'adorarvi (For my love my heart doth prize) by Italian composer Giovanni Bononcini from his opera Griselda written in 1701, dealing with love between King Gualtiero and his peasant Queen Griselda. Per la gloria d adorarvi originally was sung by a tenor, but today is available in various keys. Another aria Un ombra di pace (A shadow of peace) is from Bonocini s Calfurnia. Bononcini s pieces have typical Baroque features: the melody presents variations in regular quadruple meter and is tonal in a lively Vivace, it also matches the theme of love. The aria O cessate di piagarmi (O no longer seek to pain me) is an aria from Pompeo, composed by Italian composer Alessandro Scarlatti, who was a compatriot of Bononcini. O cessate di piagarmi, compared with another Scarlatti s art song Amor preparami, has provided ample opportunity for the voice to interpret and modulate. The lyric expresses tortures in love, fitting the theme of love and suffering. The recapitulation of the da capo allows for ornamentation. Strike The Viol and Music For A While are from British composer Henry Purcell. These two songs both iv

5 praise music; one is lively with vigorous rhythms, while the second song is based on a ground for which Purcell was famous. The aria Fairest Isle is from Purcell s semi-opera King Arthur in Baroque period, sung by the character Venus when she excitedly sings her praise of love at a carnival. The melody of the Baroque period has tonal varieties and regular tempos, which directly connect the mood of love and suffering. All composers in the baroque era were drawn to love in various manifestations. The emotions of second half fluctuate like a wave in the ocean. The Germany composer Johannes Brahms was born in a music family. Brahms preferred to set poems written by his friends, such as Klaus Groth, and Georg Friedrich Daumer. Most songs that he composed have depicted heartbroken love. His music is full of diversity, because Brahms was a Janus who faced both the past and the future. 1 Dein Blaues Auge (Your blue eyes), Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen (That I Would No More See Thee), and Liebestreu (True Love), all three of these lieders describe the eternally human topic of love. Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen contains flowing melodic lines with a dramatic plot. Wie Melodien zieht es mir (It Moves Like Melody) presents an ongoing legato. Gabriel Fauré and Georges Bizet both were French composers, and belonged to late Romanticism. Fauré was a creative composer who composed plenty of mélodies. Prison (Prison) represents the picture that was seen by the prisoner from his lonely cell, and Les Berceaux (The Cradles) employs triple beats to reflect the motions of both the sea and the rocking cradles. Fauré s melodies have helped listeners to visualize the scene. Georges Bizet, a French Romantic composer of melody, contributed not only more than fifty melodies, such as Chanson d Avril (Song of April) but also operatic masterpieces, such as Carmen and Djamileh. Chanson d Avril is an attractive art song composed in 1866, exhibiting fluent melody that suits the syllabic poem, and expresses the vigorous vitality of spring in April, and leads the listener into a vivid garden. The recital ends with the aria Seguidilla from Bizet s Carmen, which caused a huge sensation, premiered in Carmen is a dramatic love play; the woman Carmen who worked in a tobacco factory fell love with soldier Jose and Toreador Escamillo. Bizet chose the contralto Fach for Carmen. The 1 Carol Kimball, Song: A Guide to Art Song and Literature (Wisconsin: Hal Leonard,Corporation, 2006), 103. v

6 Seguidilla is sang by Carmen when she seduces Don Jose. Carmen has diverse music blending gypsy melody with French delicacy, resulting in exotic music. The encore Three Wishes Of The Rose comes from Chinese composer Tzu, Huang, who was a great composer, poet, and writer at early 20 th century. His compositions display romance and warmth, and always express the poetry well, as he himself was a poet. Three Wishes Of The Rose conveys the composer s best wishes to the roses and plaint of fragile beauty. The recital explores the unity of poetry and melody in art songs. Poems set to melody are at the heart of art songs. In Brahms Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen two opposite emotions of love and struggle are diametrically opposed. Brahms subtly gave the lower melodic line to deeply express the love, pushing toward its climax, while the higher part emotes the suffering after love. The repertoire was chosen to show two contrary sentiments and to touch audiences; on the other hand, this recital provides an opportunity to gain experience and to prepare the solo voice in expressive singing. vi

7 The Graduate Project of Doudou Mao is approved: Dr. David Sannerud Date Dr. Linda Stones Date Dr. Deanna Murray, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii

8 Table of Contents Signature Page ii Abstract iv Program 1 Appendix 12 iii

9 ABSTRACT Melody of Love and Suffering By Doudou Mao Master of Music in Music, Performance The repertoire of this recital was selected to fulfill my Master of Music in Voice, and to create the illusion of fluid and melodic lines in music and poetry. Pieces are arranged by chronological period, which stretch from the Baroque period including Giovanni Bononcini, Alessandro Scarlatti, Henry Purcell, to the Romantic era including Johannes Brahms, Gabriel Fauré, and Georges Bizet. All selections are chosen to describe the emotions of love and suffering as the primary theme, which are expressed via melodic varieties and lyrical descriptions. The recital starts with the Baroque period aria Per la gloria d'adorarvi (For my love my heart doth prize) by Italian composer Giovanni Bononcini from his opera Griselda written in 1701, dealing with love between King Gualtiero and his peasant Queen Griselda. Per la gloria d adorarvi originally was sung by a tenor, but today is available in various keys. Another aria Un ombra di pace (A shadow of peace) is from Bonocini s Calfurnia. Bononcini s pieces have typical Baroque features: the melody presents variations in regular quadruple meter and is tonal in a lively Vivace, it also matches the theme of love. The aria O cessate di piagarmi (O no longer seek to pain me) is an aria from Pompeo, composed by Italian composer Alessandro Scarlatti, who was a compatriot of Bononcini. O cessate di piagarmi, compared with another Scarlatti s art song Amor preparami, has provided ample opportunity for the voice to interpret and modulate. The lyric expresses tortures in love, fitting the theme of love and suffering. The recapitulation of the da capo allows for ornamentation. Strike The Viol and Music For A While are from British composer Henry Purcell. These two songs both iv

10 praise music; one is lively with vigorous rhythms, while the second song is based on a ground for which Purcell was famous. The aria Fairest Isle is from Purcell s semi-opera King Arthur in Baroque period, sung by the character Venus when she excitedly sings her praise of love at a carnival. The melody of the Baroque period has tonal varieties and regular tempos, which directly connect the mood of love and suffering. All composers in the baroque era were drawn to love in various manifestations. The emotions of second half fluctuate like a wave in the ocean. The Germany composer Johannes Brahms was born in a music family. Brahms preferred to set poems written by his friends, such as Klaus Groth, and Georg Friedrich Daumer. Most songs that he composed have depicted heartbroken love. His music is full of diversity, because Brahms was a Janus who faced both the past and the future. 1 Dein Blaues Auge (Your blue eyes), Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen (That I Would No More See Thee), and Liebestreu (True Love), all three of these lieders describe the eternally human topic of love. Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen contains flowing melodic lines with a dramatic plot. Wie Melodien zieht es mir (It Moves Like Melody) presents an ongoing legato. Gabriel Fauré and Georges Bizet both were French composers, and belonged to late Romanticism. Fauré was a creative composer who composed plenty of mélodies. Prison (Prison) represents the picture that was seen by the prisoner from his lonely cell, and Les Berceaux (The Cradles) employs triple beats to reflect the motions of both the sea and the rocking cradles. Fauré s melodies have helped listeners to visualize the scene. Georges Bizet, a French Romantic composer of melody, contributed not only more than fifty melodies, such as Chanson d Avril (Song of April) but also operatic masterpieces, such as Carmen and Djamileh. Chanson d Avril is an attractive art song composed in 1866, exhibiting fluent melody that suits the syllabic poem, and expresses the vigorous vitality of spring in April, and leads the listener into a vivid garden. The recital ends with the aria Seguidilla from Bizet s Carmen, which caused a huge sensation, premiered in Carmen is a dramatic love play; the woman Carmen who worked in a tobacco factory fell love with soldier Jose and Toreador Escamillo. Bizet chose the contralto Fach for Carmen. The 1 Carol Kimball, Song: A Guide to Art Song and Literature (Wisconsin: Hal Leonard,Corporation, 2006), 103. v

11 Seguidilla is sang by Carmen when she seduces Don Jose. Carmen has diverse music blending gypsy melody with French delicacy, resulting in exotic music. The encore Three Wishes Of The Rose comes from Chinese composer Tzu, Huang, who was a great composer, poet, and writer at early 20 th century. His compositions display romance and warmth, and always express the poetry well, as he himself was a poet. Three Wishes Of The Rose conveys the composer s best wishes to the roses and plaint of fragile beauty. The recital explores the unity of poetry and melody in art songs. Poems set to melody are at the heart of art songs. In Brahms Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen two opposite emotions of love and struggle are diametrically opposed. Brahms subtly gave the lower melodic line to deeply express the love, pushing toward its climax, while the higher part emotes the suffering after love. The repertoire was chosen to show two contrary sentiments and to touch audiences; on the other hand, this recital provides an opportunity to gain experience and to prepare the solo voice in expressive singing. vi

12 California State University, Northridge Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication Department of Music present Doudou Mao, Mezzo Soprano in her Master of Music Recital With Yoko Mizuno, piano A student of Judith Scott Friday, April 24, 2015, 7:30PM Cypress Recital Hall *In partial fulfillment of the Mater of Music in Vocal Performance 1

13 PROGRAM I. Per la gloria d adorarvi Giovanni Battista Bonocini For the love my heart doth price ( ) Un ombra di pace A shadow of peace II. O cessate di piagarmi Alessandro Scarlatti O no longer seek to pain me ( ) Amor preparami Love prepare-for-me Strike the Viol Music for a while Fairest isles III - INTERMISSION- Henry Purcell ( ) IV Dein blaues AugeJohannes Brahms Your blue eyes( ) Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen That I would no more see thee 2

14 Liebestreu Johannes Brahms True love ( ) Wie Melodien zieht es mir It moves like melody V Prison Gabriel Urbain Fauré Prison ( ) Les Berceaux The cradles VI Chanson d avril George Bizet April song ( ) Seguidilla from Carmen VII Three wishes of the rose Huang Tzu ( ) ( Huang Tzu is one of the famous Chinese composers. Most of his songs are composed with romance and warmth. Three Wishes of the Rose ( ) is a typical example of his artistic songs. The song depicts the rose s beauty and may it be lasting permanently.) *Please join us for light refreshment after the recital 3

15 Per la gloria d'adorarvi For the glory of adoring you, I want to love you, oh dear eyes. In love I will suffer, yet always I will love you, Yes, in my suffering: I will suffer, I will love you, dear, dear eyes. Without a hope of pleasure It is vain affection to sigh, Yet your sweet glances: Who can ever admire them, No, and not love you? I will suffer, I will love you, dear, dear eyes. Un ombra di pace A-shadow of peace, itself shows to my heart. Anxiety that pleases me come to bless. To-me seems that itself changes, into joy the sorrow. And says: you weep, but you should hope. 4

16 O cessate di piagarmi O stop wounding me, o let me to die, o let me to die. Ungrateful lights, merciless, merciless, more than frost and more than marble Cold and mute, my martyrs, cold and mute, my martyrs O stop wounding me, o let me to die, o let me to die. Amor preparami Love, prepare for me, other chains, or truly leave me. In liberty, I want most certainly. that knot to break, Which in tie most harsh, Tight me holds, without pity. 5

17 Dein blaues Auge Your blue eyes keep so still That I can gaze upon their very depths. You ask me what I want to see? I see my own well-being. A glowing pair burned me once; The scar still hurts, still hurts. Yet your eyes are like the sea so clear, And like the sea, so cool and detached. Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen To visit you no longer Did I resolve and swear. Yet I go to you each evening, For all strength and resolve have I lost. I long to live no longer, I long to perish instantly And yet I also long to live For you, with you, and never, never die. Ah, speak, say only one word, A single word, a clear one; Give me life or death, Only reveal your feelings to me your true feelings 6

18 Liebestreu "Oh sink, sink your sorrow, My child, in the sea, in the deep sea" A stone rests well at the bottom of the ocean; My sorrow, though, always comes up to the surface. "And the love that you carry in your heart, Destroy it, destroy it, my child" If the flower also dies when one breaks it off, True Love is not so swift. "And your constancy, your constancy, It is only a word; into the wind with it" Oh, Mother - even if the rock splinters in the wind, My constancy withstands it. Wie melodien zieht es mir It moves like a melody, Gently through my mind; It blossoms like spring flowers And wafts away like fragrance. But when it is captured in words, And placed before my eyes, It turns pale like a gray mist And disappears like a breath. And yet, remaining in my rhymes There hides still a fragrance, Which mildly from the quiet bud My moist eyes call forth. 7

19 Prison The sky above the roof, So blue, so calm A tree, above the roof, Waves its crown. The bell, in the sky I watch, Gently rings. A bird, on the tree I watch, Plaintively sings. My God, my God, life is there Simple and serene. That peaceful murmur there Comes from the town. O you, O you, what have you done, Weeping without end, Say, O say, what have you done With all your youth? Les berceaux Along the quay, the great ships, that ride the swell in silence, take no notice of the cradles. that the hands of the women rock. But the day of farewells will come, when the women must weep, and curious men are tempted towards the horizons that lure them And that day the great ships, sailing away from the diminishing port, feel their bulk held back by the spirits of the distant cradles. 8

20 Chanson d avril Get up Get up Spring has just been born Over those valleys a rosy mist is floating Everything in the garden trembles and sings; your window is full of sunshine, like a joyful gaze. Around the bunches of purple-flowering lilac butterflies and bees flutter and hum together, and the little shaking bells of lily-of-the-valley have woken up Eros who was sleeping in the woods. Now that April has scattered its white daisies, go without your heavy cloak and cold-weather muff The birds are already calling you, and the periwinkles (your sisters) will smile in the grass when they see your blue eyes. Let's get going The stream is clearer in early morning. Get up Let's not wait for the day's burning heat. I want to wet my feet in the moist dew and talk to you of love under the blossoming pear-trees. 9

21 Seguidilla Near the ramparts of Seville, At the place of my friend, Lillas Pastia I will go to dance the Seguedilla And to drink Manzanilla. I will go to the place of my friend, Lillas Pastia. Yes, but all alone, one gets bored, And the real pleasures are for two; So, to keep me company, I will take away my lover. My lover, he has gone to the devil, I put him out yesterday My poor heart, very consolable, My heart is free, like the air I have suiters by the dozen, But, they are not to my taste. Here it is the weekend; Who wants to love me? I will love him Who wants my soul? It¹s for the taking. You're arriving at the right time I have hardly the time to wait, For with my new lover, Near the ramparts of Seville, At the place of my friend, Lillas Pastia 10

22 Three wishes of the rose The rose, the rose Flourishing along the handrail in the garden, I wish the ruthless storm who envy my beauty do not hurt me; I wish the emotional tourists who love me do not pick me; I wish youth stay forever and never die; To let me keep my eternal beauty. 11

23 Appendix Kimball,Carol. Song: A Guide to Art Song and Literature. Wisconsin: Hal Leonard Corporation,