Eight Songs for a Mad King, Music-theatre works, for male voice and ensemble, vocal/piano score

First publication of the vocal score of this 1969 music-theatre work for male voice and ensemble, a landmark in the composer?s career. The songs are a monologue by the King while he tries to teach his caged birds to sing, and these songs exploit unusual vocal techniques to express and explore his ?madness'. This publication includes notes (in English, German and French) on the music by the composer, and on the texts by Randolph Stow; there is also a note on performance and notation. The cover design reproduces the composer?s manuscript ?cage? - in which the written-down shape of the music of song no. 3 forms the vertical bars of a bird cage. A study score (M-060-08085-2) is available on sale; full score and parts are available on hire. A CD recording is available on Unicorn-Kanchana DKP(CD) 9052.

CONTENIDO:

A note on the music
A note on the text
Die Musik
Der Text
Notes sur la musique
Notes sur le texte
Performance Note
Anmerkungen zur Aufführung
Note sur l'éxécution
Inhalt/Content
Instrumentation
The Sentry (King Prussia'a Minuet)
The Country Walk (La Promenade)
The Lady-in-Waiting (Miss Musgrave's Fancy)
To be sung on the Water (The Waterman)
The Phantom Queen (He's ay a-kissing Me)
The Counterfeit (Le Conterfaite)
Country Dance (Scotch Bonnett)
The Review (A Spanish March)