Four Songs from Hafez (2007/2023)
For baritone and orchestra
STUDY SCORE
DEMO
SALLY BEAMISH
Four Songs from Hafez
(2007/2023)
For baritone and orchestra
texts: Divan-e-Hafez, translated by Jila Peacock
Original version for tenor and piano commissioned by Leeds Lieder+ with funds partly provided by the RVW Trust, and first performed by Mark Padmore and Roger Vignoles at Leeds College of Music, on 12th October 2007.
Orchestral version commissioned by Britten Pears Arts, and first performed by Roderick Williams on 17th June 2023 at Snape Maltings, with the Sinfonia of London conducted by John Wilson.
STUDY SCORE
SCORING
Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
Cor anglais
2 Clarinets in Bb
Bass Clarinet in Bb
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon
4 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (3/4 players):
Suspended cymbal
Tam-tam
Tombak
Tambourine
Crotales
Persian bell
Tubular bell
Harp
Baritone voice
Strings
Durata: 15’
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This work is published in the following editions:
Study score (B4) (NMO15183A / ISMN 979-0-065-17295-8) - on sale
Conductor’s score (A3) (NMO15183B / ISMN 979-0-065-17296-5) - for hire
Orchestral parts (NMO15183C / ISMN 979-0-065-17297-2) - for hire
Contact the publisher for further information:
Published by:
Norsk Musikforlag A/S
Postboks 1499 Vika N-0116 Oslo
Norway
TEL 00-47-23 00 20 10
FAX 00-47-22 42 44 35
E-mail: order@musikforlaget.no
Copyright © 2023 by Norsk Musikforlag A/S, Oslo.
FOUR SONGS FROM HAFEZ for baritone and orchestra
Sally Beamish 2007/2023 texts: Divan-e-Hafez, translated by Jila Peacock for Roderick Williams
I originally made these settings in 2007, for the tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Roger Vignoles.
I had already made a subseqeuent version for lower voice, which was recorded by Roderick Williams and Andrew West in 2021. Roderick later suggested an orchestral version, and this idea was taken up by Roger Wright as a commission for the Aldeburgh Festival.
The idea appealed greatly. I have written for Roddy on several occasions, and the richness and clarity of his voice is always a source of inspiration. Translating the piano writing to full symphony orchestra was a challenge, especially taking into account the delicate balance between baritone voice and orchestra. Some sections have been extended, to give the voice more space, and I have added an introduction and coda to the last song.
The 14th century Persian Sufi poet, Hafez, often uses a bird or animal to illustrate separation from, and longing for, the Beloved.
I chose the texts after seeing Jila Peacock’s extraordinary book, Ten Poems from Hafez, in which the whole Persian text of each poem has been designed in the shape of the animal mentioned in the text, and set alongside a new English translation by the artist.
Each poem has a distinctive mood. The first, Nightingale, describes the eternal dilemma of rose and thorn. The ostinato accompaniment on strings and harp is offset by the nightingale’s song – initially on flute, and later on oboe.
The second song, Peacock, is created almost entirely from ‘falling’ motifs, and features the woodwind and brass, with a contrasting refrain on strings and bells.
Fish is directly inspired by the Iranian setar (a 4 stringed plucked instrument), and develops from a short rising motif into fast flowing, breathless semiquavers. Here I have used the tombek – a Persian drum which is often heard in classical Iranian music.
The last song, Hoopoe, begins with a yearning call on solo oboe. A simple chordal string accompaniment gradually intensifies as it transfers to woodwind and more dissonances are introduced. Bells are important here too, and the piece ends as it began, with a single nightingale.
The songs were originally commissioned by Leeds Lieder+ with funds partly provided by the RVW Trust, and first performed by Mark Padmore and Roger Vignoles at Leeds College of Music, on 12th October 2007.
This version was commissioned by Britten Pears Arts, and first performed by Roderick Williams on 17th June 2023 at Snape Maltings, with the Sinfonia of London conducted by John Wilson.
Sally Beamish 2023
DEMO
Music engraving: Sally Beamish/Andrew Bayly
Cover design/calligraphy: Christopher Haanes
Printed by: Norsk Musikforlag A/S, Oslo.
I. Nightingale
