Believe Your Ears is the memoir of composer Kirke Mechem, whose unorthodox path to music provides a fascinating narrative. Along the way, readers will meet Dimitri Shostakovich, Wallace Stegner, Billie Jean King, The Grateful Dead, Benjamin Britten, Bill Tilden, and Aaron Copland-a who's who of talent in Mechem's storied career.
(BH Large Choral). Here are five "hymns" to the spirit of life. Calling on "modern" poetry, and certainly using the modern harmonic language that Mechem is so well known for, each movement is an answer to the previous movements questions. Each of the five movements can stand alone in a concert but together they create a celebration of life in all its diversity.
The collection features a unique blend of musical pieces, beginning with a poignant song based on a letter from a slave to her husband. It also includes two poems set to music by notable poets Harriet Monroe and Jessie B. Rittenhouse. Additionally, the inclusion of "Fair Robin I Love" from Mechem's opera Tartuffe adds depth to the ensemble, showcasing a rich tapestry of emotions and historical context through the voices of soprano and instrumental ensemble.
The collection features lively and playful outer movements, "Jenny Kissed Me" and "To Celia," framing the serene and dream-like "Julia's Voice." This arrangement allows men's choirs to express a range of emotions, offering a unique opportunity to explore feelings often unexpressed in daily life.
Set in a comedic romantic backdrop, a British Naval Captain, Jack Absolute, disguises himself as a penniless composer to win the heart of American heiress Lydia Larkspur, who dreams of a life of "charming poverty." As Jack's true identity remains hidden, complications arise when Lydia's guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, insists on her marrying the real Jack. Caught between love and deception, Jack must navigate the challenges of revealing himself while trying to keep Lydia's affections intact.