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William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he helped to found the Abbey Theatre, and in his later years served two terms as a Senator of the Irish Free State. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn and others. Yeats was born in Sandymount, Ireland, and educated there and in London. He spent childhood holidays in County Sligo and studied poetry from an early age, when he became fascinated by Irish legends and the occult. These topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the 20th century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and its slow-paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and the poets of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. From 1900, his poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. |
Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media
Displaying 1-4 of 4 items.
Eric Whitacre : The Children Set to a text by William Butler Yeats, "The Stolen Child" was commissioned by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and The King's Singers to celebrate their 25th and 40th anniversaries, respectively. The chorus represents the voice of "the human child, innocent and naive" while the six solo voices represent the "water and the wild," seducing the children away from the world with the promise of endless revelry and eternal youth. Excerpted from Whitacre's music theater work Paradise Lost "Sleep My Child" for SATB and soloists is marked by delicate, ethereal sounds and purity of tone. Songlist: Sleep My Child, The Stolen Child 
Francisco Nunez : Four Yeats Songs Four poems by William Butler Yeats are set for male chorus and viola creating a vivid reflection on the wonders of life and love. Songs include: The Lover Tells of the Rose in His Heart, The Pity of Love, A Drinking Song, The Fiddler of Dooney. Viola part included. Duration: ca. 10:00. Songlist: A Drinking Song, The Fiddler Of Dooney, The Lover Tells Of The Rose In His Heart, The Pity Of Love
George Benjamin : Upon Silence Upon Silence sets Long-legged Fly, a late poem of Yeats which portrays three momentous figures in history absorbed in silent contemplation: Julius Caesar planning a crucial military campaign, Helen of Troy as an adolescent in Sparta and Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. The verses are set in a syllabic manner, while each successive chorus is set to increasingly lengthy melismas as, like the long-legged fly above water, the voice hovers above the strings. For Mezzo Soprano with String Ensemble.
John Tavener : Mini Song-Cycle for Gina John Tavener's 1984 work A Mini Song-Cycle for Gina was written for Gina Cowen, who gave the first performance along with Judith Ginsburg at St John's Church, Ladbroke Grove, London, on April 3, 1986. Text by W.B. Yeats. |
Displaying 1-27 of 27 items.
With a melody based on a traditional Irish jig, the lyrics of this work by W.B. Yeats describe a whimsical daydream that becomes a lesson in values as life reaches its end. The music is rich and artistically crafted, bringing the dance of the jig into the song of dreams. Tuned harmonic whirlies and a handdrum add tastefully to the piano accompaniment.
Composer: Ron Kean | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This touching piece sets Yeats' beautiful words describing the love of a parent for their child. Switching between major and minor tonalities, A Cradle Song is quiet and understated, with sensitive a cappella scoring that makes the sentiments seem all the more real. This is an impressive and sophisticated debut from Swedish singer and composer Joel Nilson.
Composer: NILSON, JOEL | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Jonathan Adams has created a lovely, contemporary madrigal inspired by the Yeats poem "A Rose in the Deeps of My Heart." Skillfully crafted, beautiful choral writing brings this text to life.
Composer: Jonathan Adams | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
From the poetry of Yeats, this song tells the tale of a young boy who wonders if he is too young to love. When he consults a brown penny, it reveals to him that the time to love is always now.
Composer: Daniel Brewbaker | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This Ron Kean setting of the Yeats' text displays his skill. Perfect for treble choirs of all ages. Add the optional violin, accordian and whistle to complete the performance.
Composer: Ron Kean | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This dramatic setting of the beautiful W.B. Yeats' poem gives the choir an excellent chance to express rich dynamics and let the music speak. It requires a large enough choir for a deeply rewarding performance. Exquisite! Duration: ca. 3:50.
Composer: Bradley Ellingboe | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
For their wedding ceremony, Jim's wife requested that he set this beautiful text by W.B. Yeats, to be performed by a choir of their friends.
Arranger: Jim Clements | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats Performed By: Voces8
Looking for a non-religious inspirational work for commencement? This is it! Susan Naylor Callaway sets the poetry of William Butler Yeats for mixed chorus with piano and optional flute. Difficulty Level: Medium Adult.
Composer: Susan Naylor Callaway | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This is an evocative, folk-like setting of Yeats' poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree. The modal vocal writing is both simple and sophisticated and always expressive of the yearning in Yeats' words.
Composer: Shawn Kirchner | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This is an evocative, folk-like setting of Yeats' poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree. The modal vocal writing is both simple and sophisticated and always expressive of the yearning in Yeats' words.
Composer: Shawn Kirchner | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
A setting of a text by W. B. Yeats.
Composer: Bradley Ellingboe | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This famous William Butler Yeats text has never been set with such originality. Describing the vulnerable qualities our hopes and dreams embody, Kean shimmers a chord with improvised overtones that demand new definitions in sound. High schools, colleges and festivals will clamor for this wonderful work.
Composer: Ron Kean | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Yeats is a famous poet whose words have many meanings. This poem is weaved into three sections and Milne follows that by constructing his motet into three verses. His melody is as haunting and thoughtful as the poet's lyrics. Furthermore, he keeps the vocal lines free of divisi yet full of suspensions and resolutions that entice the listener. A fine concert piece for high school and college choirs.
Composer: John Milne | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
The first piece to be published in the CCDA (California Choral Director's Association) series, this Yeats' text is a classic, and the musical setting is expressive and descriptive of the text, in 21st century harmonies. An excellent choice for advanced high school, college and community choirs.
Composer: Jasper Randall | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
One of Yeats most well loved poems from his third volume of poetry, The Wind Among the Reeds, is exquisitely set in this thoughtful choral work of romance and dreams. Careful painting of the text throughout creates a musical landscape for advanced choirs as well as developing voices.
Composer: Victor C. Johnson | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Set to a colorful poem by one of Ireland's most beloved poets, William Butler Yeats, the composer dramatically brings the text alive with strong hints of Irish flavor along the way.
Arranger: B. Wayne Bisbee | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats | Country: Ireland
This refreshing work from Ola Gjeilo employs a folk-like sound to capture Yeats' wonderfully descriptive words about the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The movement in the piano, the strumming of the guitar, and the richness of the strings work together with the voices to create the imagery of a long and pleasant journey.
Composer: Ola Gjeilo | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Ron Kean uses a text by William Butler Yeats and appropriately dons it with an Irish musical dressing. The flute is really not an optional addition. You are easily transported to the region through this character piece that dances and flourishes in the land it celebrates. A delightful fugal section bounces with a dum didle dee text eventually emerging into a colorful, and thoughtful singing section. For advanced high school and college choirs. Medium to difficult.
Composer: Ron Kean | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats | Country: Ireland
This poem, first published in the collection The Rose in 1893, is one of Yeats' earlier lyric poems. Doug Wagner's original music is rich and full with an expressive piano accompaniment. A lovely choral for mixed voices, you'll find the text makes this ideal for men's voices. Available separately: SATB, T(T)BB, PianoTrax CD (35027473). Duration: ca. 3:24.
Arranger: Douglas Wagner | Composer: Douglas Wagner | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This idyllic piece, with text by William Butler Yeats, highlights the various sounds that evoke Yeats's memories of Innisfree, a lake in County Sligo that was a favorite childhood vacation spot. Allow the natural stresses of the text to gently shape your phrases and rhythms. Connect with your own memory of a special place. Duration: 3:45.
Arranger: David L. Brunner | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
From its origins as a poem by William Butler Yeats, this lyric has passed into the realm of folk music and now has become one of the most recorded Irish songs of all time. This arrangement is quite singable, with a delicate piano accompaniment and long fluid vocal lines that are simple and charming.
Arranger: John Leavitt | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats | Country: Ireland
Set to a text by William Butler Yeats, this work was commissioned by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and The King's Singers to celebrate their 25th and 40th anniversaries, respectively. The chorus represents the voice of "the human child, innocent and na•ve" while the six solo voices represent the "water and the wild," seducing the children away from the world with the promise of endless revelry and eternal youth.
Composer: Eric Whitacre | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
The strong Irish flavor in this song is unrelenting, whether fast or slow. The pensive Yeats poem pulls at the heart and demands thoughtfulness. Ron Kean's music accomplishes that and more, bringing a serenity and beauty to a love song that dances and pines. For college and community choirs, medium difficult but worth the effort.
Composer: Ron Kean | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
American composer and conductor, Theodore Morrison, has set this lovely William Butler Yeats' poem filled with Irish musical quotes. As an opera composer, Morrison has a strong grasp on the emotional impact made possible through programmatic music and he uses this in effective ways in this piece. The virtuosic nature of the horn part and advanced choral music require an accomplished ensemble, but the results will be impressive!
Arranger: Theodore Morrison | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Setting a love poem by W. B. Yeats, Tread Softly is a charming addition to the upper-voice repertory. Gradually opening out from unison, this piece features melodic vocal lines, colourful harmonies, and luscious modulations, and the rhythmic contrasts in the choir are complemented by a gently flowing piano part. Suitable for use in a variety of concert programmes and at weddings.
Composer: Alan Bullard | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
Premiered at the 2005 ACDA convention, this setting of a poem by William Butler Yeats begs the listener to tread softly on our dreams. Available for SSAA and TTBB.
Arranger: Judith Herrington | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
This classic Yeats' poem is set to music that is rooted in a simple melody and meter and, when performed with a traditional folk song simplicity will resonant with singers and listeners. All voice parts and the piano are given moments of individual importance. This beautiful poem asks your singers to reflect on how they would like to live today and be remembered. Powerful.
Composer: David Husser | Poetry By: William Butler Yeats
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