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Book I. Solo Voice with Orchestra:
Book Ia. Story Cycles for Low Voice & Orchestra (See IV for dance options & III/VIII)
Book Ia. Story Cycles for Low Voice & Orchestra (See IV for dance options & III/VIII)
1. Orpheus in The Underworld 15 & a half minute cycle of 7 songs
for low voice; The text, in Latin, is by Boethius. Orpheus goes to The Underworld to bring Euydice back. Pluto is so moved that Orpheus may bring her back if he doesn't look at her until they are safely home. This version has an unhappy ending. "The Lovers" V/II/1-4 concertos; have a happy ending.
1a. Orpheus in The Underworld: with percussion, timpani & strings.
1b. Orpheus in The Underworld: with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+
2/2/2/1 percussion, timpani, celesta, harp and strings.
Boethius: 6th century poet
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1c. Eurydice: with piano; as cablecast as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" on BNN-TV, with DEW performing the music. To hear "Eurydice" and to see the scores to several of the songs please click on either of the two dinosaurs to the right: |
Terry Anne Tessorus as Pluto in "Eurydice"
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2. Remembrance of Love's Death:
21 minute cycle of 12 songs; Emily Dickinson (uc); for low voice: 2a. Remembrance of Love's Death: with orchestra: 2/2/2 2/2/1/1 harp, percussion & strings. See the same selections in Volume III, Book ViII. 2b. Remembrance of Love's Death: with harp and double bass string quartet or string orchestra; 2c. Remembrance of Love's Death: with piano. 9 of the songs were performed by the composer with pianist, Eileen Feldman at 1st and 2nd Unitarian Society, Boston. Dedicated to Ms. Feldman. Please click on Eileen Feldman to the right to hear the premiere and read the poems: |
Eileen Feldman, pianist
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Other cycles (that is song sets with a story) can be found below:
V/IIIb. 3 & it's condensced version: V/IVb. 1. An unaccompanied
song cycle can be found at V/Vb/2/3.
V/IIIb. 3 & it's condensced version: V/IVb. 1. An unaccompanied
song cycle can be found at V/Vb/2/3.
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Book Ib. Song Sets for Low Voice with Orchestra (See III/VII): 1. Cascando: 12 minutes and 40 seconds: set of 4 songs for low voice to poems by Samuel Beckett (under copyright (uc)); Revised 2023; Unperformed. 1a. Cascando: with percussion, timpani, harp, viola solo & string orchestra. 1b. Cascando: with harp and string quartet. 1c. Cascando: with piano. 2. Rain has Fallen: 14 minute set of 5 songs for low voice, to poems by James Joyce: 2a. Rain has Fallen: with orchestra: 2/2/2+/2+ 2/2/0/2/1 2b. Rain has Fallen: premiered, in 2022, by baritone, Hartmut Schulz and pianist, Sayoko Akimoto, at Academia Arte, Alser Strasse 28, 1090 Wien, Austria. Dedicated to Mr. Schulz. 3. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: 19 minutes; two songs for low voice, with interludes. Taken from "The Journey." See IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1. May be performed with "Three songs to Poems by James Joyce" by Merton Brown. 3a. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: mallets, percussion, piano, optional harp, and D. B. string quartet or string orchestra. 3b. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with piano. 3c. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with synthesizer. Below, drawing by Drew Hubbard; Please click the button below to hear the recording by DEW: bass-baritone, countertenor, & synthesist; or click on James Joyce to the right to read the poems for this cycle: |
Samuel Beckett, poet
Harmut Schulz, bariston
James Joyce, poet
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4. Deep River; 5. When The Stars Begin To Fall; V/IIIb/4. The Unbroken Circle:
In total there are 18 unique spirituals, with varying transpoitions and instrumentations. Any of the spirituals, may be performed in whatever key and order is desired. Most of these spirituals have been performed. Dedicated to the performers: Leo Abbott;
Dorothy Yanish, Merton Brown, Barbara Roth Donaldson, Christopher Aaron Smith, Yelena Birayeva, Annalise Scovman and Sonante.
4a. Deep River: low voice and medium orchestra: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timp., harp and strings; 16 minute and 10 second group of 8 spirituals. In 2024 "Trouble" from "The Unbroken Circle" (V/IIIa/4) was added with an alternate instrumentation..
4b. Deep River: low voice and piano, 15 minute group of 8 spirituals. 9 spirituals were premiered by the composer with pianist, Barbara Roth at The First Unitarian Society of Newton, MA.. "Wayfaring Stranger" was first performed by the composer with Leo Abbott, pianist at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston & heard on WBZ radio.
In total there are 18 unique spirituals, with varying transpoitions and instrumentations. Any of the spirituals, may be performed in whatever key and order is desired. Most of these spirituals have been performed. Dedicated to the performers: Leo Abbott;
Dorothy Yanish, Merton Brown, Barbara Roth Donaldson, Christopher Aaron Smith, Yelena Birayeva, Annalise Scovman and Sonante.
4a. Deep River: low voice and medium orchestra: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timp., harp and strings; 16 minute and 10 second group of 8 spirituals. In 2024 "Trouble" from "The Unbroken Circle" (V/IIIa/4) was added with an alternate instrumentation..
4b. Deep River: low voice and piano, 15 minute group of 8 spirituals. 9 spirituals were premiered by the composer with pianist, Barbara Roth at The First Unitarian Society of Newton, MA.. "Wayfaring Stranger" was first performed by the composer with Leo Abbott, pianist at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston & heard on WBZ radio.
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5. When The Stars Begin To Fall: high voice: 13 minute set of 8 spirituals. Uniquely featured: "When The Stars Begin To Fall" and "Peter, go ring those bells" completed 5/31/24.
5a. When The Stars Begin To Fall: with medium orchestra: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. 5b. When The Stars Begin To Fall: with piano, "Swing Low" was premiered by soprano, Dorothy Yanish, with pianist, Merton Brown at F,U,S,N. Please click on the button below to hear this performance: |
Dorothy Yanish, soprano
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4b. Deep River & 5b. When The Stars Begin To Fall:
with piano, in the high key: 9 spirituals were performed by tenor, Christopher Aaron Smith, with pianist, Yelena Birayeva with Boston Metro Opera on 1/27/12. You can hear this performance by clicking on Mr. Smith's photograph to the right: 4c. Deep River & 5c. When The Stars Begin To Fall: selections performed at 1st & 2nd UU, Boston, MA, by Sonante (soprano, Annalise Skovman with 'cello and guitar) version withheld. |
Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor
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Book II. Two Solo Voices with Instruments:
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1. yes: 4 and a quarter minutes; three duets for two high voices with clarinet or English horn; poem by e. e. cummings (uc). |
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2. Three Folk Songs: 7 minutes 40 seconds. 2a. Three Folk Songs: for a high voice & a low voice with flute and guitar. Dedocated to and performed several times by The Putnam Court Musicians: Kristin Webb, flute; Russell Southcott, guitar, soprano, Mary Saunders (#1 & #3) and DEW, bass-baritone (# 2).George W. Harper of Beverly Times wrote of this piece: "Easily the highlight of the concert were several arrangements by David Edgar Walther... Especially satisfying was Walther's setting of three familiar folk songs, a medley that managed to sidestep all the stereotypes with a version of Simple Gifts that owed absolutely nothing to Aaron Copeland's. Walther's touching arrangements of Long Time Ago set Mary Saunders' rich, soprano peeping through the lush harmonic haze of flute and guitar like the sun through the clouds.' Please click on the buttons below to hear these folk songs: |
e. e. cummings, poet
Staue of John Henry, Talcott, WV.
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Book III. Solo Voice with Instruments
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Book IIIa. High Voice with Instruments: 1. Echoes: lyric high soprano (alternate version for lyric soprano) & viola; 4 minutes; poem by Hart Crane; dedicated to, and premiered by soprano, Deborah Cole (high soprano) and violist, David Feltner with Music Now at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, MA. Heard numerous times on WHRB Radio. 
Deborah Cole, high soprano
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Hart Crane, poet
David Feltner, viola
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2a. Serenade and Fugue: soprano and flute; 4 and a half minutes; poem by Thomas Hardy; dedicated to and performed several times by soprano, Mary Saunders & Kristin Webb, flute. To learn more about this piece (the score, the poem & performance histor), please click on the photograph of Thomas Hardy to the right; To hear "Serenade Fugue" please click on the black button below: |
Thomas Hardy, Poet
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2b. A Secret and a Prayer: one minute & 40 seconds; "A Secret and a Thought" with poem by Ann Head (uc); for soprano and flute. Ann and I dated when we were 15. I don't know how many times we met at Good Habour Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts; maybe several times, or perhaps only once. We found a deck of cards with one missing card. We played Gin Rummy and I I lost by that card. Whem we swam together in the cold waves, I discovered that my white swimming suit was transparent when wet. To our credit neither of us drew attention to this embarrassing fact. I never saw her again.
When I as studying at Juilliard, a soprano wanted to do this song. She promised to
send it back to me, but she never did. The original manuscript may still be
somewhere in South Korea. She may also have performed it... who knows?
I re-wrote it from memory on July 14, 2024.
2c. Sora Sono: A withheld version for two sopranos included "A Secret and a Prayer."
It was performed in Rockport, MA by sopranos: Janet Wheeler and Charlotte Lord. The score is missing. Instrumental duo version: I/II/1.
3. Five Valentine's Day Cards: 7 minutes and 45 seconds; for soprano, flute, harp and piano; Emily Dickinson; deciated to, and performed, in an earlier, withheld version by Eric Mazonsen, pianist, in Marblehead, MA. with soprano, Mary Saunders; Kristin Webb, flute; and Russell Southcott, guitar: The Putnam Court Musicians (PCM).
4. Simples of The Moon: 10 minute set of 5 songs for soprano, flute & viola to poems
by James Joyce. Unperformed.
5. Some Things That Fly: 7 songs for soprano, flute & guitar to poems by Emily Dickinson; 10 minutes & 35 seconds; dedicated to, and performed several times
by The Putnam Court Musicians: Mary Saunders, soprano; Kristin Webb, flute
and Russell Southcott, guitar To hear 3 of these Emily Dickinson Songs please
click on the red button below; to see a list of all of the poems by this poet that
have been set by this composer please click on Emily Dickinson's photo to the right:
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Mary Saunders, soprano Emily Dickinson, poet
6. Diptych: 12 minutes and 40 seconds; 3 movements; for soprano, flute, clarinet in Bb, bassoon, and piano; poem (probably) by Samuel Beckett (u.c.) The movements are 1. Unhinged I. Theme and Variations; 2. The Hinge: Song and Canon; 3. Unhinged II: Double Fugue. Dedicated to, and performed by the Milestone Trio: flute, bassoon and piano (Phyllis Lehrer, piano) at Princeton University, in a withheld trio version without clarinet or soprano. Otherwise unperformed.
Samuel Beckett, poet
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7. Echo and Mirage: 13 minutes, 3 movements, Christina Rossetti. 7a. Echo and Mirage: with alto flute (or flute), clarinet in Bb, marimba, perc., harp, piano, viola & 'cello. Unperformed. 7b. Echo and Mirage: with flute, clarinet in Bb, violin, 'cello. and piano. Unperformed. 7c. Echo and Mirage: with piano. Decicated to, & recorded by soprano, Nancy King (photo directly below) with the composer, piano; otherwise unperformed. |
Christina Rossetti, poet
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To hear "Mirage" the second of three movements as recorded by Nancy King, soprano with the composer, please click on the red to the below, or click on Ms. Rossetti's picture,
to the right, directly above, to hear the movement and read the poem:
to the right, directly above, to hear the movement and read the poem:
Nancy King, soprano
8. 4 Orphic Hymns: 19 & a half minutes; for high voice
with clarinet in Bb & guitar. Translations by Thomas Taylor
(left). Original version for high voice of 8 songs with flute
& guitar is withheld. Both versions are unperformed.
Finished on 7/7/24.
Thomas Taylor, poet/translator
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Book IIIb. Low Voice with Instruments: 1. Echo's Bones: A 6 & three quarters minute set of 5 songs with 'cello to poems by Samuel Beckett (uc); four of the songs were performed by the composer with Priscilla Chew (right), at 1st and 2nd, Boston. Dedicated to Ms. Chew. Please click on the buttons below, or on Priscilla's 'cello to read the poems: |
Priscilla Chew, 'cello
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2. Five Thoughts: 11 minutes & 45 seconds.
2a. Five Thoughts: for low voice with double bass string quartet.
2b. Five Thoughts: for low voice with piano.
1. A Thought: 2 minutes; Emily Dickinson. alternate version with guitar.
2. all worlds have half-sight: very low voice; 3 minutes; e. e. cummings (uc).
Revised in 2023.
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3. Crazy Dinosaurs: one minute and thirteen second theme song for the cable TV show, recorded by DEEW, cablecast on BNN-TV. To hear the theme song to "Crazy Dinosaurs" please click on the dinosaur to the right: |
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4. Wondering: 2 minute song to Charles Schultz (uc) from "Snoopy" comic strip. 5. A Thought: as the first song. 3. The Conqueror Worm: with violin, 12 minute cycle. This strange story concerns a theatrical performance, starting with the overture and ending with the final curtain as a mysterious being devourses all of the performers. This is the complete version of the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Alan Poe. Unperformed. See IVb. 1. "Last Murmurs of Ligeia" for low voice and piano, with a partial setting of the text. |
Charles Schultz
and Snoopy 
Edgar Allan Poe, poet
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4. The Unbroken Circle: 7 spirituals for bass (or alto) with 'cello & double bass
& optional high & medium gong, cymbal & drone. 12 minutes & 40 seconds.
2024. Unperformed.
Book IV. Solo Voice with Piano:
Book IVa. High Voice with Piano:
1. De Profundis Clamavit: 3 minutes, premiered (in latin) at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by, & dedicated to Shinobu Takagi, mezzo-soprano and Daryl Cooper, pianist. See VI/III/I/1.
2. Love Suicides at Sonezaki (Monaemon Amijima): 3 minutes; poem by Chikamatsu performed (in Japanese) at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by, & dedicated to, mezzo-soprano, Shinobu Takagi, with pianist, Darryl Cooper. Cablecast BNN-TV with animated netsuki as the video "Love Song" as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" that was cablecast on BNN-TV. Please see the video below, with Ms. Takagi, & Mr. Cooper performing.
1. De Profundis Clamavit: 3 minutes, premiered (in latin) at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by, & dedicated to Shinobu Takagi, mezzo-soprano and Daryl Cooper, pianist. See VI/III/I/1.
2. Love Suicides at Sonezaki (Monaemon Amijima): 3 minutes; poem by Chikamatsu performed (in Japanese) at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by, & dedicated to, mezzo-soprano, Shinobu Takagi, with pianist, Darryl Cooper. Cablecast BNN-TV with animated netsuki as the video "Love Song" as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" that was cablecast on BNN-TV. Please see the video below, with Ms. Takagi, & Mr. Cooper performing.
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Monaemon Amijima 1720 Shinobu Takagi, mezzo-soprano Darryl Cooper, pianist
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Love Song, after Chikamatsu; Takagi/Cooper
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3. Three Short Songs: 6 minutes; Emily Dickinson (uc), James Joyce and Robert Louis Stevenson. See VI/IV/4/3. Unperformed. |
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Robert Louis Sevenson, poet
4. When the Heart is Full of Love: songs for soprano soprano & piano,
Set to anonymous poems extracted from "The Mask of The Witches"
VI/II//7 & VII/III/3. Uses the Major/Major 7th and minor/minor 7th jazz
chords leaning toward the tritone in simulation of European village
melodies and harmonies.
4a When the Heart is Full of Love: 7 & a half minutes: 3 songs
sung by The Sister.
4b. When the Heart is Full of Love: 10 minutes & 40 seconds:
the three songs from 4a. preceeded by, & followed, by the WIccan
High Priestess's song: "Har, Har, Hou, Hou."
5. The Steeple's Remembrance: 14 & a half minute set of 10 songs,
each depicting the ghost of a woman, as told by the bells of the cathedral.
Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
Set to anonymous poems extracted from "The Mask of The Witches"
VI/II//7 & VII/III/3. Uses the Major/Major 7th and minor/minor 7th jazz
chords leaning toward the tritone in simulation of European village
melodies and harmonies.
4a When the Heart is Full of Love: 7 & a half minutes: 3 songs
sung by The Sister.
4b. When the Heart is Full of Love: 10 minutes & 40 seconds:
the three songs from 4a. preceeded by, & followed, by the WIccan
High Priestess's song: "Har, Har, Hou, Hou."
5. The Steeple's Remembrance: 14 & a half minute set of 10 songs,
each depicting the ghost of a woman, as told by the bells of the cathedral.
Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
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Book IVb. Low Voice with Piano: See also Book I above.
1. Last Murmurs of Ligeia: 3 & a half minute cycle of 3 songs excerpted from the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Allan Poe. This abridged version tells the entire absurd story of the cycle. Performed and recorded at The Boston Public Library, by the composer. See complete setting of the poem is above: "The Conqueor Worm" with violin: IIIb/3. |
Edgar Allan Poe, poet
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2. Three Portraits: 6 minutes; performed several times with by the composer with pianist, Merton Brown. Dedicated to Mr. Brown, & Ms. Cecil. To hear "Three Portraits" please click on the buttons below; or to read the poems click on Mr. Brown to the right: |
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Merton Brown, pianist
1. Old Love: poem by William Butler Yeats:
2. Young Love: poem by Linda Ann Cecil (uc):
3. Secret Love: poem by Emily Dickinson (uc):
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3. 6 Songs to Poems by William Blake: 10 minute song set with text from "Songs of Innocence and Experience" by William Blake. Performed by mezzo-soprano, Susan Craft Larson and pianist, Yelana Birayeva with Boston Metro Opera on 1/27/12. Dedicated to all of the performers & to Haig Nalbantian, who gave me the lovely book of Blake poems that I used to write these songs. You can hear this performance by clicking on the buttons below or click on Susan Craft Larson to hear them and read the poems:
Also performed by the baritones: Brett Johnson, at Andover Academy; and by Hartmut Schultz, in Bonn and Cologne, Germany in 2018. Also performed by the composer on many occasions with pianists: Merton Brown and Dr. Sam Walter. You can hear the composer's performance with Dr. Walter by clicking on Dr. Walter to the right. You can read the Blake poems there as well:
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William Blake, poet
Susan Craft Larson, mezzo-soprano
Dr. Sam Walter, pianist and organist
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Brett Johnson, baritone Harmut Schulta, bariton Anais Nin, writer Haig Nalbantian, violinst Suzanne Nalbantian, pianist
4b. Right at The Bouy: for flute, violin & piano. Performed at the Nalbantian apartment
in NYC by Olivier, flute; Haig Nalbantian, violin; & Suzanne Nalbantian, piano (she also named the piece). Anais Nin was in the audience and heard the piece. Withheld & lost.
in NYC by Olivier, flute; Haig Nalbantian, violin; & Suzanne Nalbantian, piano (she also named the piece). Anais Nin was in the audience and heard the piece. Withheld & lost.
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4. Great Streets of Silence: 12 minutes & 20 seconds:
7 song set to poems by Emily Dickinson (uc). Revised in October - December, 2023. 4a. Great Streets of Silence: for medium low voice with piano. Original keys for #2-5 4b. Great Streets of Silence: for low voice with piano: first and last songs: original key. Please click on Emily Dickinson's photo to see a list of all of the settings of this poet, by this composer: 5. Three Very Short Songs: 1 minute & 35 seconds; Emily Dickinson; for medium voice, taken from V/IV/4: a 50 second revised version of "Silence" #6, & 2 shorter songs (40 & 15 seconds respectively). |
Emily Dickinson, Poet
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6. Chamber Music: 15 minute group of 5 songs tp poems by James Joyce; Performed and recorded at: BPL, Old South, Boston, Colby College, ME, and many other times by the composer with pianists Merton Brown, Eileen Feldman,& Dr. Sam Walter.
Book V. Unaccompanied Voice
Book V. Unaccompanied Voice
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Book Va. Unaccompanied for High Voice
1. Dachshund: 47 seconds; poem by Jill Shapiro (uc). This song is dedicated to Jill Shapiro. Unperformed. 2. Mother Goose Songs: 3 minute & 15 second set of 7 songs in 100 notes; Poems from Mother Goose (1919). Unperformed. Drawing by Arthur Rackham to the right. 3. Night over Bass Rocks: 4 minutes & 40 seconds; set of 3 songs to poems by James Joyce. Written for my mother: soprano, Janet Wheeler Walter, for her birthday. Unperformed. 4. Cal'mus: 6 & a half minute set of 4 gay love songs for tenor or baritone; poems by Walt Whitman (right) from "The Leaves of Grass" received its European premiere by baritone, Hartmut Schulz (right) on 11/4/23 in Kleiner Ehrbar-Saal in Vienna, as part of a concert called "Four Seasons in America / Fall" by the Opera on Tap Vienna Chapter. Premiered by Christopher Aaron Smith (below) on 1/27/2012 with Boston Metro Opera. Dedicated to Mr. Schulz & Mr. Smith. To hear "'Cal'mus" as sung by Mr. Smith please click on the red button below: Christopher Aaron Smith,, tenor
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Mother Goose, 1913
Walt Whitman, poet
Hartmut Schulz, baritone
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Book Vb. Unaccompanied Low Voice: 1. A Tree: 1 minute song to a poem by Joyce Kilmer. Written for Virginia Harms, alto soloist for The Easter Show at Radio City Music Hall, NYC, and my dear friend. Unperformed. 2. The Book of Runes: written in Southern Ireland; 3 groups or cycles of contemporary plain song to poems by James Joyce. See "The Journey" IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1 for more contemporary plainsong to Joyce poems. Please click on James Joyce (right) to see and hear all of this composer's settings of all of the poems by James Joyce. I. Three Whole Tone Songs: 4 & a half minute set; performed by DEW at 1st & 2nd Unitarian in BostonTo hear the recording & read the poems please click on James Joyce to the right or, below, on Drew Hubbard's drawing of DEW singing this piece in concert, or click the button below to hear the recording. |
Joyce Kilmer, poet
James Joyce, poet
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II. Four Songs of Rejection and Hope: 5 & a half minute set.
The 3nd song is used & recorded in "The Journey" IV/IV/2 & VII/III/2, otherwise unperformed. III. The Cool Valley: 17 minute cycle of 13 songs, to poems by James Joyce, with the genders made neutral; 7 songs were performed by the composer at The Boston Public. The cycle (2023) chronicles a love affair that takes place at several locations in Ireland culminating in a storm at Fontana Beach. The conclusion of the cycle is unclear, but somehow things have changed; was there a death or break up, perhaps love in the afterlife, or perhaps the hope of new love? Either a happy or a sad interpretation is possible. Performers and listeners can decide for themselves. |
Drew Hubbard's drawing
of the composer singing |