love letters, opus 23 (2010-11)
INSTRUMENTATION: solo piano and high voice
TEXT: C.M.Fuentes; Pablo Neruda; Ludwig van Beethoven
unrequited
the reason for my song
immortal beloved
“love letters” is a song cycle written for my good friend, tenor C. Blayne Ziegenfuss, with texts that we selected together for the project. The first song features an original text by the composer, and is in a contemporary take on a classical style. The second song takes the form of a passacaglia, with a “ground bass” theme that persists throughout, and is a setting of a poem by Pablo Neruda. The final song is a dreamy setting of the well known “immortal beloved” love letter by composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
Blayne Ziegenfuss, tenor; Carlos M Fuentes, piano