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Programme Note

Songs from the Stone Harp are five in number, of twelve minutes duration and are set for soprano, two violas, two cellos, harp and one percussionist performing alternately on timpani and vibraphone. The work is based on excerpted texts from a book of poetry entitled The Stone Harp by John Haines. The subject matter seems to reflect Mr. Haines’ preoccupation with the life and landscape of the sub-arctic, particularly that of the poet’s home, Alaska (where he has been a homesteader in the wilderness for some years according to his publishers)

The excerpted texts I have chosen to set to music are characteristic of the entire set of poems and are, by turns, about the winds of the forests, wolves, migratory geese, lemming and travelers north by train into the vastness of night.

The original version of this piece, scored for tenor, harp and timpani, was commissioned by percussionist Jonathan Haas for his recital at the 92nd Street Y in February 1988. Tonight will mark the premiere performance of the soprano and instrumentally expanded version of the original. The musical settings have been altered slightly by additional musical lines and richer harmonic textures but remain essentially close to the original in overall design and feeling.

The performers at last year’s premiere were David Gordon, tenor and Jonathan Haas, timpani with Susan Jolles, harp (both of whom are featured in tonight’s performance), and it is to them that this work is dedicated.

--Stephan Albert