When notating a melisma, there are several traditions for sustaining a syllable in the middle of a word. Think of “glo-ri-a” in “Angels we have heard on high.” There are normally dashes in between “glo” and “ri” to indicate the melisma. Some publishers put a slur over the melisma in addition to the dashes, some omit it entirely.
Anyone have a comment? preference? suggestion?
Thanks,
Roger Bourland
Here is the final movement from ALARCON MADRIGALS, BOOK 1, called “A small but fateful victory” for women’s chorus. This movement has been the most popular of the set. It deals with a small rebellion from the women in the family where the father ends up doing the dishes - a small, but FATEFUL victory. The poem is by Francisco X. Alarcon and the story comes from his childhood growing up in Los Angeles.
There is some metrical trickiness but the meters follow the text, so once the chorus makes that connection, it’s easy.
I’ve also composed two other sets: Alarcon Madrigals, Book 2, and Alarcon Madrigals, Book 3.
This performance is by Muse, Cathy Roma, Artistic Director
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