Ballad of the Sun
Ballad of the Sun
Violinist and composer Lauren Vandervelden shares her process of setting visual art to music.
As part of a recent artist residency in California hosted by the arts organization Musaics of the Bay, violinist and composer Lauren Vandervelden wrote a new piece for soprano and piano inspired by artist Katie Swatland’s painting “Morning Sun” (above).
Can you share with us some of the elements of this painting that inspired your composition?
I find music to be a very visual art form, harmonies and melodies blending to form vivid colors and shapes. Consequently, drawing inspiration from a visual medium serves to direct my musical concept. The atmospheric nature of Swatland’s painting conveys serenity while also demonstrating the sublimity of nature. A small boat rests within a large body of water, its slightness juxtaposed with the grandeur of the natural world. I wanted to choose a text that reflected these themes, embodying the dreamlike, otherworldliness of “Morning Sun” through music.
What are some of the considerations when writing for voice that differ from instrumental writing?
As a violinist, I often compose for strings; I am especially drawn to write for solo violin. In some ways, string writing is similar to vocal writing, as string players strive to imitate the lyricism and effortlessness of the human voice. That being said, vocal writing comes with more restrictions. For instance, I must pay greater attention to register, as the timbre of the voice changes throughout the vocal range, whereas stringed instruments project more evenly across their registers. A violinist could play consistently in their upper register, but singing in this range requires greater effort and should be used more sparingly. Additionally, vocalists require breath and cannot sustain their lines without pause, thus I must structure my phrases accordingly. One must find a way to create space in the vocal line while maintaining a musical continuity.
How does the text play a role in this composition, and what is the text that you chose for this piece?
I chose to set Bessie Rayner Parkes’ (1829-1925) poem, “Music.” Parkes evokes the beauty and splendor of nature, intimating that music seems to emanate from the natural world. Her imagery aligns with the themes and aesthetic of Swatland’s painting, serving to articulate the character of “Morning Sun.” I was especially drawn to this text because of its simplicity. While the work is profound in meaning, the text is neither complicated nor dense. This provides ample room for the music, as it will not be overpowered by the lyrics.
Artist Katie Swatland’s Description of the artwork
“Morning Sun” is part of a series of paintings that explore the poetic subtleties on those hazy summer days, when the humidity is so high that you can visibly see mist in the air. I adore days like these because the humidity acts as a unifying element that merges the sky with the water, allowing the light to dance around in such a way that sometimes, at just the right moment, the light can catch a sail as it passes by, illuminating it against the mist.
These moments are pure lush atmospheric lyricism at its finest, and it is simply enchanting. I like to approach the canvas with a sense of inquisitive curiosity, allowing the subject to dictate the way I articulate the paint on the surface. In this way, each painting is a fresh start, and a unique expression of my experience. Rather than relying on a specific technique, I instead prefer to allow my imagination to guide the energetic expression of my subjects. The technique then follows, acting as a supporting element to the melodic motif.”
—Katie Swatland
Read the poem and listen to a performance of Lauren’s '“Summer Ballad” below.
Morning Sun, Katie Swatland
Music
Bessie Rayner Parkes
Sweet melody amidst the moving spheres
Breaks forth, a solemn and entrancing sound,
A harmony whereof the earth's green hills
Give but the faintest echo; yet is there
A music everywhere, and concert sweet!
All birds which sing amidst the forest deep
Till the flowers listen with unfolded bells;
All winds that murmur over summer grass,
Or curl the waves upon the pebbly shore;
Chiefly all earnest human voices rais'd
In charity and for the cause of truth,
Mingle together in one sacred chord,
And float, a grateful incense, up to God.
— Learn more about the work of Lauren Vandervelden at: laurenvandervelden.com —
