Program Notes

Title: Merciles Beautè

Subtitle: a song in three parts for baritone and cello

Genre: Chamber, Vocal

Instrumentation: baritone, cello

Text: Geoffrey Chaucer (in Middle English)

Duration: ca 10' (2'30"; 3'40"; 3'30")

Description: Chaucer's well-known triple rondel is set in its original Middle English form as a three-part song cycle for baritone (high baritone or tenor) accompanied by only a single cello. The text is provided in IPA in the score and a preface describes some of the pronunciation guidelines for Middle English.

Items: The product download includes one full score, one cello part, and one page 7 of the cello part, the latter provided to assist with an awkward page turn. If hardcopies are ordered, the same three items will be provided. PLEASE DO NOT COPY. If you need more than one copy, please order mulitples of the product. PDF files are formatted for 8½x11 in multiples of four pages with blank pages embedded as needed making the documents suitable for booklet printing on 11x17.

IMSLP disclaimer: There is an earlier free version of this work on imslp.org. The composer requests, however, that interested parties use the current, authorized version available here.