Dorothy Parker Love Songs for Soprano, Violin and Piano

An American poet, short story writer, screenwriter, satirist and critic, Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) had an unerring acuity for commenting on twentieth-century urban peculiarities.  She became renowned for her writing as in The New Yorker and as a member of the Algonquin Round Table.

Her poetry often has an ironic twist – a declaration of love in A Certain Lady that conceals the true feelings of the poet.  Nocturne is a love affair that she knew would end – sooner or later.  There are conflicting feelings in Love Song – on one side there is an ode to her lover, and on the flip side she wishes he were far away or worse!  The music attempts to portray the poet’s feelings with piquant harmonies, unusual key changes, and imitation between the soprano, violin, and piano.