American Scenes Song Cycle

A song cycle for Baritone Voice and Piano based on texts by Walt Whitman.

The four movements of the cycle outline one perspective on the American Civil War. The first movement describes the values and climate of mostly northern, and at that time, western Americans. The second and third showcase two different snapshots of the war from the soldier’s view in the day to day. The text for the final movement, “I Hear America Singing,” was actually written before the civil war, but I employ it as a return to life and rejoice that the war is over. It was particularly interesting to write because several other composers before me have set this text and I wrote it without any of those influences.

It is now published with JW Pepper in editions for Baritone, Contralto, and Baritone and Horn. Each edition is $20. Links below.

American Scenes (audio)

1. The Prairie-Grass Dividing

2. Cavalry Crossing a Ford

3. Bivouac on a Mountain Side

4. I Hear America Singing