Devices and Desires

for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra

1989

33 minutes

Texts: Robert Herrick and the 1662 Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Voices: sop, bar, SATB chorus
Orchestra: 2222 4231 Timp 2perc strings

Commissioned by the Fine Arts College, Arizona State University

Premiere: University Symphony Orchestra, Henry Charles Smith, conductor
Darleen Kliewer-Britton, soprano
Jon Linford, baritone
Concert Choir, Donald Bailey, conductor
University Choir, David Stocker, conductor
Gammage Auditorium, Arizona State University, September 27, 1989

Movements:
1. Sing a hymn to love
2. Upon Julia’s hair, bundled in a golden net
3. Whenas in silks my Julia goes
4. What have the meads to do with thee?
5. Make me a heaven

Withdrawn. Replaced by Unshorn Apollo

Composer Notes

After having gaining considerable experience composing operas, I returned to this material in 2013. I wanted to remake the work into something more overtly dramatic, and to give it more Dionysian vigor. To create Unshorn Apollo I rewrote the first movement completely, even changing the meter. I made few changes in the second movement. I made numerous significant changes in the third movement, and I cut the nine-minute fourth movement entirely. I also made significant changes in the last movement, particularly in the rhythms and orchestration.