For the past several days, I’ve been at work on a large scale symphonic poem based on a poem from Dante’s La Vita Nuova. The specific poem is Gentil pensero che parla di vui (XXXVIII). The approx. 15 minute-long piece involves a full orchestra, choir and two solo sopranos as the core of the piece and alternate between various ensembles; starting from a single string note to solo cello and choir, with the sopranos to full orchestra and choir, to just soprano and harp. Ken, my engineer, and I are also brainstorming production on it and are coming up with new and interesting production techniques.
It really has been a big journey of discovery in finding Dante and his voice within the piece, the poem being so passionate and beautiful. The two sopranos will resemble the two battling forces within one’s heart: the soul (representing logic and reason) and her amorous passionate heart. Finding that voice, that sound that can represent Dante musically is a tough but very enjoyable journey and although I’m still about less than halfway through, there is something there that can be discovered.
Having just come back from an interview for UCLA Extension, I’ll probably hop on the couch for a bit and then get back to orchestrating this work of passion.
