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About the Composer
Martha Hill Duncan
Graphite Publishing
The Brook in February
“Beneath the mask of moveless white; a babbling whisper you shall hear of birds and blossoms, leaves and light.”
voice, piano
With an attractive and accessible vocal line above contemporary harmonies and colors, this little song of “spring thaw” is a great introduction to a more dissonant repertoire. Beginning “with a chill” and later “warming up”, there are also lots of chances for the singer to explore word painting and varied tone color.
Composer’s Notes
My inspiration for Singing in the Northland began in 1998 when my daughter Claire was about twelve years old. Her voice teacher, Dr. Nadia Izbitskaya, lamented the lack of expressive contemporary vocal music for young singers and presented me with the challenge of writing for my own daughter. As a transplanted Texan, living in Canada, I decided to concentrate on Canadian poetry and the first song I wrote was “Quiet,” with poetry by Marjorie Pickthall. The others in the collection followed over the years as my daughter grew up and continued singing. This collection is dedicated to Claire for her patience, humour, insights and moreover, her beautiful and expressive voice.
Text
A snowy path for squirrel and fox,
It winds between the wintry firs.
Snow-muffled are its iron rocks,
And o’er its stillness nothing stirs.
But low, bend low a listening ear!
Beneath the mask of moveless white
A babbling whisper you shall hear
Of birds and blossoms, leaves and light.
– Charles G.D. Roberts (1860-1943)
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Purple-Stainèd Mouth
Difficulty: 4Duration: less than 3 min. -
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Poor Atlas
Difficulty: 4Duration: less than 3 min.
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