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Genre: Classical

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 756
Comments: 7
Votes: 8
Plays: 66
Last Played: Oct 27, 2008 - 06:17:57 PM
Downloads: 44
Fans: 3
Uploaded: Jun 19, 2007 - 06:54:35 AM
Last Updated: Jun 19, 2007 - 06:54:35 AM
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Keywords:
classical (387)
Description:
This is a choir song that was performed some years ago. I did the whole scoring in Sibelius. Here is a link to the score online:
http://www.lulu.com/browse/preview.php?fCID=432929

And here is some more info about the song itself.
http://www.andrevanharen.com/apaean.htm

Lyrics:
A PAEAN

by Edgar Allen Poe

I.

How shall the burial rite be read?
The solemn song be sung ?
The requiem for the loveliest dead,
That ever died so young?

II.

Her friends are gazing on her,
And on her gaudy bier,
And weep ! — oh! to dishonor
Dead beauty with a tear!

III.

They loved her for her wealth —
And they hated her for her pride —
But she grew in feeble health,
And they love her — that she died.

IV.

They tell me (while they speak
Of her "costly broider'd pall")
That my voice is growing weak —
That I should not sing at all —

V.

Or that my tone should be
Tun'd to such solemn song
So mournfully — so mournfully,
That the dead may feel no wrong.

VI.

But she is gone above,
With young Hope at her side,
And I am drunk with love
Of the dead, who is my bride. —

VII.

Of the dead — dead who lies
All perfum'd there,
With the death upon her eyes,
And the life upon her hair.

VIII.

Thus on the coffin loud and long
I strike — the murmur sent
Through the grey chambers to my song,
Shall be the accompaniment.

IX.

Thou died'st in thy life's June —
But thou did'st not die too fair:
Thou did'st not die too soon,
Nor with too calm an air.

X.

From more than fiends on earth,
Thy life and love are riven,
To join the untainted mirth
Of more than thrones in heaven —

XII.

Therefore, to thee this night
I will no requiem raise,
But waft thee on thy flight,
With a Pæan of old days.
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Beautiful &mdash 06/19/07 - 07:53:33 AM
We need more of this around MacJams! This is really a grand piece, I really enjoyed listening to it and reading the words. Excellent work.

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks! &mdash 06/19/07 - 05:03:17 PM
Hi!
Thanks for the compliment, I am glad you like it.

André

---
Better a bottle in front of me then a frontal lobotomy...

[ Reply to This ]
The dome of human endeavor &mdash 06/19/07 - 08:56:57 PM
This is fantastic. My imagination supplies the missing fidelity and dynamic range. I am transported to an ancient place where the walls of the cathedral comfort, then open wide to the heavens. May your brilliance and passion illuminate those undergoing slow decay.

[ Reply to This ]
Such a.... &mdash 06/20/07 - 11:34:21 PM
...sad number very poignantly sung and orchestrated. I would love to hear this in a larger hall or church where the resonance of the voices would have a chance to breathe...The final line with the vocal solo is arresting. You are a skilled composer, Andre. How nice to hear music of this quality.
Peace.
Paul

[ Reply to This ]
A Paean &mdash 06/22/07 - 10:33:55 AM
the world need such beauty
and music ...what a gorgious
work ..very wonderfull sence
between the answers ..realy speechless
to say any further comment but
thank you for sharing such gem here with us

peace !

[ Reply to This ]
Masterful composition.... &mdash 06/23/07 - 01:01:03 AM
This piece is so beautiful it deserves to be re-recorded with modern Hi-fi equipment. Thank you for sharing

[ Reply to This ]
Would be nice &mdash 06/23/07 - 03:14:08 PM
A re recording would really be nice! I am looking for a choir here in Sweden who wants to sing it but could not find one till now. I keep on searching tough. Thanks for listening to it!

André, Sweden

---
Better a bottle in front of me then a frontal lobotomy...

[ Reply to This ]
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