Listen Up!

Fellow Travelers: Scene 1a, Park in Dupont Circle Spears opens his opera with a minimalist soundscape. A piano keeps a steady beat as deep woodwinds come in with a repetitive pattern. Listen closely to hear each layer added on. As you listen, can you hear how the style shifts into a more tonal, romantic style? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3p13gCKGiY

Glassworks: No. 5, Facades, Philip Glass Philip Glass epitomizes American minimalist music. Compare Spears’ opening scene and this piece. What sounds the same? Are there similar instruments? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ438-J1kcs

Fellow Travelers: Scene 4b, Timothy’s Apartment, “Bermuda” Spears noted that he needed to use instrumentation to express the love that Hawkins and Timothy could not be open with. In this scene, they dream of a far away place where they can be together. How does Spears express this love in his instrumentation? In its tonality? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGcijKXh6k

Fellow Travelers: Scene 5, St. Peter’s Church, “Last Night” Timothy confesses to a priest at St. Peter’s Church, grappling with his faith and sexuality. Pierce’s natural libretto and poetic use of the English language come out here. What can you tell about Timothy’s emotional state through this piece? What do you hear in the singing or music that tells you that? (i.e. upswing in tempo, held notes, etc) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNTtGz68uQo

Fellow Travelers: Scene 6, The Hotel Washington, “All Seem to Say” Unlike “Bermuda,” “All Seem to Say” has a very different vibe. The music seems to be unsettled, frantic, and slightly atonal. Do these elements work together to express the atmosphere of paranoia and secrecy in the room? Extra credit: Can you hear the popular Christmas music Spears’ quotes in this piece? What song is it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXSOeJsCH0k

“A Chantar” composed by the Comtessa Beatriz de Dia, a famous female troubadour in 12th century. Performed by Catherine Bott. Spears noted the troubadour vocal tradition as inspiring his Fellow Travelers composition process. Listen to the vocal line in this piece and compare it to the piece below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydsCLsXjNVo

Fellow Travelers: Scene 14b, Brick House, “Our Very Own Home” Hawkins shows Timothy the house he bought for them to be together. Both this piece, and the piece above, are about love. How do the vocal lines demonstrate that? Do you notice the melisma (vocal runs, sung to one syllable of text) from the 12th century piece in this piece by Spears? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3vzmJmwuK0

Fellow Travelers: Scene 16, Park in Dupont Circle, “Shed Any Tears over Joe’s Death?” In the final scene, when Timothy and Hawkins say goodbye, Spears returns to the theme that was playing when they originally met on the park bench in Dupont Circle. Can you hear where it repeats? Does it sound exactly the same? How is it different? Why do you think Spears chose to return to this at the end? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Js969Zmws

• What instruments are playing? • How fast is the music? Are there sudden changes in speed? Is the rhythm steady or unsteady? • Key/Mode: Is it major or minor? (Does it sound bright, happy, sad, urgent, dangerous?) • Dynamics/Volume: Is the music loud or soft? Are there sudden changes in volume (either in the voice or orchestra)? • What is the shape of the melodic line? Does the voice move smoothly or does it make frequent or erratic jumps?Do the vocal lines move noticeably downward or upward? • Does the type of voice singing (baritone, soprano, tenor, mezzo, etc.) have an effect on you as a listener? • Do the melodies end as you would expect or do they surprise you? • How does the music make you feel? What effect do the above factors have on you as a listener? • What is the orchestra doing in contrast to the voice? How do they interact? • What kinds of images, settings, or emotions come to mind? Does it remind you of anything you have experienced in your own life? • Do particularly emphatic notes (low, high, held, etc.) correspond to dramatic moments? • What type of character fits this music? Romantic? Comic? Serious? Etc.