Blues (2001)

for female voice (wide range) and piano

Text and music by Matthew Quayle.

Duration: 3’

Premiered by Stephanie Youell, voice, and Matthew Quayle, piano, at the University of Cincinnati, Spring 2001. 

Blues was an experiment of sorts, using a musical theater vocalist in a concert "art song" setting. The singer vacillates between emotional extremes over an unyieldingly cheery ostinato accompaniment. The vocalist must be adept throughout a wide 2.5 octave register, from low chest voice F# to a high D# above the staff.