The Old Songs, quartet for soprano voice, clarinet, alto sax, contrabass

10:00

The Old Songs, Scena for Soprano and Three Instruments, is a little music drama that proceeds in a series of 12 Italianesque set pieces:

I have been playing the old songs, all that I learned in the old life I call my self.

I have a tin harmonica, broken reeds on three notes, but perfection is not my goal.

These days I have to read the lyrics. Of course! I have to read the lyrics. I cannot remember wordsafter the first verse.

But as I read them now I am ashamed. My mother sang them, I harmonized! My brother, sister, father...I harmonized!

My brother, sister, father all singing old songs.

To forget old songs is to lose life.

--Adapted by Zae Munn from “The Old Songs” by Paul Munn