David L. Brunner

My Song

Composer's note:The renowned Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore, lived from 1861 to 1941 and was the first non-European to win the Novel Prize in Literature in 1913. His elegant verse was an inspiration for me and an appropriate tribute for the Syracuse Gay & Lesbian Chorus, which celebrated its 20th anniversary season in 2011-2012. Conductor Glenn Kime conducted the premiere on My Song on December 2, 2011.The verse is lyrical and the music melodically oriented, with a prominent violin obligato and rich harmonic language. Mostly the text setting is syllabic and declamatory and, while the language should be clear, the singing style should be legato and flowing.There is the opportunity for flexibility and rubato with regard to tempo and expression. There should be an equality in the interplay of voices and solo violin, with the latter always heard above the thicker textures.