1: (Easy) No divisi in voice parts, accompaniment doubles or supports vocal parts, diatonic, symmetrical phrases, textures mostly homophonic, simple rhythms, stepwise voice leading (conjunct), moderate ranges, no extended techniques, and limited sustained singing.
2: (Medium Easy) Limited divisi, voices somewhat independent from accompaniment, some chromatics, phrases may be longer or more fragmented, mostly homophonic, moderate rhythmic complexity, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderate ranges, extended techniques are simple, limited sustained singing.
3. (Medium) Limited divisi, unaccompanied, or with independent accompaniment (voice parts not doubled), many chromatics, phrases of varying lengths, more contrapuntal textures, moderately complex rhythms, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderately difficult/challenging ranges, extended techniques are potentially challenging, and some sustained singing.
4. (Medium Difficult) Abundant divisi, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, many difficult intervals (disjunct motion), difficult/challenging ranges, potentially difficult extended techniques, and a demand for sustained singing.
5. (Difficult) Adundant divis, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, extreme ranges, use of challenging or unusual extended vocal techniques, abundant sustained singing.
1 review for From the Good Earth
Randall Speer –
Commissioned by Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 2005, “From the Good Earth” celebrates the college’s most celebrated alumna, Pulitzer- and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck. The text – an excerpt from Buck’s novel “The Good Earth” – celebrates a rich and timeless Chinese culture, depicting a present inextricably connected to countless ages past. Barnett’s setting effectively captures these qualities with non-Western harmonies, and a piano part which imitates Chinese musical instruments. Just as the novel “The Good Earth,” this piece provides a beautifully accessible exploration of Chinese peasant life.