Without Music

Five Songs for Mezzo-soprano and Piano

Texts by Marie Howe

Published by Theodore Presser

Duration: 25 min.

Songs

1. Without Music
2. The Gate
3. One of the Last Days
4. The Promise
5. Buddy

Notes

The poetry of Marie Howe has a special place in Ricky Ian Gordon’s heart and mind, both haunting and soothing. Without Music is a five-movement work in which Howe’s words and Gordon’s music together give voice to longterm grieving for a loved one lost to AIDS. The work was commissioned by Music Academy of the West for their 2019 Marilyn Horne Song Competition Winners’ Recital Tour.