When I first heard this, I was riding around with my roommate going back home, we were lost in the dark, and this song comes on the radio. Just one of those times where you don't really care what's going on around, you just live.
As Coleridge has it: "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree : Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea ... Really wonderful, evocative music. I heard it for the first time on the radio this morning and have returned promptly to hear it again (and probably again ... !)
Glad you liked it. The only piece by Griffes I've heard before is 'The White Peacock' for piano - also very nice! I'm now exploring other things of his ...
Thank you, this was supposedly to be played on top of chris Harrington’s first short film, the fall of the House of Usher. It was lovely, as was the short film which I suggest to all :-)
I have always loved this piece---and yes, we lost a composer who might have given so much more... Very much the American equivalent of the tragedy of losing George Butterworth so young....with similar impressionistic glories left to us...
The short film "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Curtis Harrington used to be synched to this music. Versions of it streaming no longer include this music, so, while watching it, I played this in the background. Totally fits. So good.
Another great work by this great American composer. It boggles the mind that with his numerous musical masterpieces that he was neglected for so long. Thankfully this shameful situation is finally being corrected.
I don't know if it really is being corrected--I don't see it anywhere with glances as various symphony programs. The situation is grossly unfair---concert programs are notoriously conservative to this very day--Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms--a few others and that's it. listeners are as much to 'blame' as others--and nervous symphonies who are losing those same listerners and are playing conservative. Its a vicious cycle--few 'new' works are heard--seldom American ones.
windstorm1000 It is truly unfortunate that this music is in the remotely played because of the conservative nature of the concert hall. It is available on recordings at least and is played in distant lands in Russia for one. Perhaps, this glorious music will be heard more if more become adventurous and it will be a home aural treasure. Keep up the good fight!!!
Wayne Choma yes, absolutely---American orchestras must be more adventurous--they have to get out of their comfort zone and dare more. this is not exactly a new work and has been in repoirtre of orchestras overseas who appreciate its mastery of mood/form. the question remains why American orchestras do not embrace more of our American music! that's a riddle. maybe the situation will change--but listeners/conductors need to lead the charge more...
Bought this one with other Griffes (Loeffler on the reverse) on a Mercury recording long ago - the only record I ever bought wholesale! I am still intrigued by its bitonality.
I have been very inactive uploading, but I decided I would peruse the comments on some of the music I have uploaded. Elsewhere, no one could behave themselves, but everyone seems very cool under the Pleasure Dome. I love this piece of music and the poem. I got this CD many years ago when I was signed up for BMG Classical. Remember that mail order crap?
Yes, the Impromptu is an enjoyable piece of 'impressionism' with even a daub of Poulenc here and there! I've just listened to 'Skyscrapers' which I found very engaging and thoroughly 'American' in feel. My first thought was of a Gershwin influence but then noticed Carpenter's composition date (1926). However, boh Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F were written by then so some cross-fertilisation is possible I guess - maybe both ways?
Kubla Khan BY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE Or, a vision in a dream. A Fragment. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round; And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery. But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A savage place! as holy and enchanted As e’er beneath a waning moon was haunted By woman wailing for her demon-lover! And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing, A mighty fountain momently was forced: Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail, Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher’s flail: And mid these dancing rocks at once and ever It flung up momently the sacred river. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran, Then reached the caverns measureless to man, And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean; And ’mid this tumult Kubla heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war! The shadow of the dome of pleasure Floated midway on the waves; Where was heard the mingled measure From the fountain and the caves. It was a miracle of rare device, A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice! A damsel with a dulcimer In a vision once I saw: It was an Abyssinian maid And on her dulcimer she played, Singing of Mount Abora. Could I revive within me Her symphony and song, To such a deep delight ’twould win me, That with music loud and long, I would build that dome in air, That sunny dome! those caves of ice! And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
A CD called Goddess of the Moon contains his last works, including the amazing Cairn of Korridwen. The instrumentation of this suite has to be heard to be believed.
I have to get that CD---I want to listen to Cairn---. He also did a ballet I Belive called 'Sho Jo'? I'm trying to think of another Impressionistic American composer and I think Griffes is it.
Hi - just listened to Parts 1 and 2 and enjoyed them, finding them well crafted, engaging and very well orchestrated though perhaps not up to the level of Griffes. I'll give Part 3 a listen and then try the Carpenter. Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks very much for sending this to me Julian, I'd never heard of him or this peice before. I can hear why you mentioned John Foulds and Griffes in the same sentence even though they still each have their own unique sound.
So sorry- you are in the in the British Iles!! So silly of me too 'introduce" Butterworth to you! If you have not heard it, Deems Taylor - "Through The Looking Glass" is on YT in 3 parts, and a most attractive tonal/impressionistic work by another American. A man influenced by the same 'school' as Griffes---better known as a critic and commentator here and for being the 'host' of the original FANTASIA"...but it is attractive music I think you would like too...
Griffes's early death robbed America of having an 'impressionistic' composer---yes, there was folk (Copland), Jazz (Gershwin, Bernstein) but not what Griffes would have further done. A shame.
Most certainly must have influenced some composers of the 'Golden Age' of movies, and 'schooled' in the same compositional techniques and harmony he was here in the states...
This was written by Griffes about the mens’ bathhouses that he frequented. Some people call it the first AIDS song. Griffes contrasted the pleasure he got barebacking with the fear he felt upon his diagnosis with HIV.
John Alden Carpenter : Impromptu, from 2 Piano Pieces (1915)-you might also enjoy--played by a YTuber--but creditably, and is fine impressionistic work that should be more played....
When I first heard this, I was riding around with my roommate going back home, we were lost in the dark, and this song comes on the radio. Just one of those times where you don't really care what's going on around, you just live.
Beautifully said 🌹
It’s not a song.
Beautiful comment
its unfortunate that this ravishing work is rarely heard in concert halls--but, then, that is the fate of most American music---
just heard this played by CSUN in the soraya
Finally! Somebody posts this rarely heard masterpiece.
And before anyone gets bratty...I already own it...:-)
Thanks for sharing.
A little gem of a piece.
As Coleridge has it:
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree :
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea ...
Really wonderful, evocative music. I heard it for the first time on the radio this morning and have returned promptly to hear it again (and probably again ... !)
Still as moving as the day I first heard it over 8 years ago. So much has changed...
Glad you liked it. The only piece by Griffes I've heard before is 'The White Peacock' for piano - also very nice! I'm now exploring other things of his ...
Thank you, this was supposedly to be played on top of chris Harrington’s first short film, the fall of the House of Usher. It was lovely, as was the short film which I suggest to all :-)
I have always loved this piece---and yes, we lost a composer who might have given so much more...
Very much the American equivalent of the tragedy of losing George Butterworth so young....with similar impressionistic glories left to us...
Wonderful discovery. Thanks.
The short film "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Curtis Harrington used to be synched to this music. Versions of it streaming no longer include this music, so, while watching it, I played this in the background. Totally fits. So good.
Just discovered this music after hearing it on WKSU. Thanks for posting this.
Another great work by this great American composer. It boggles the mind that with his numerous musical masterpieces that he was neglected for so long. Thankfully this shameful situation is finally being corrected.
I know it. We need to ask orchestras to program more American music---nothing against Beethoven, but lets hear some different stuff--
I don't know if it really is being corrected--I don't see it anywhere with glances as various symphony programs. The situation is grossly unfair---concert programs are notoriously conservative to this very day--Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms--a few others and that's it. listeners are as much to 'blame' as others--and nervous symphonies who are losing those same listerners and are playing conservative. Its a vicious cycle--few 'new' works are heard--seldom American ones.
windstorm1000 It is truly unfortunate that this music is in the remotely played because of the conservative nature of the concert hall. It is available on recordings at least and is played in distant lands in Russia for one. Perhaps, this glorious music will be heard more if more become adventurous and it will be a home aural treasure. Keep up the good fight!!!
Wayne Choma yes, absolutely---American orchestras must be more adventurous--they have to get out of their comfort zone and dare more. this is not exactly a new work and has been in repoirtre of orchestras overseas who appreciate its mastery of mood/form. the question remains why American orchestras do not embrace more of our American music! that's a riddle. maybe the situation will change--but listeners/conductors need to lead the charge more...
windstorm1000 dare more if they are to grow more--
Bought this one with other Griffes (Loeffler on the reverse) on a Mercury recording long ago - the only record I ever bought wholesale! I am still intrigued by its bitonality.
thanks for uploading. i need to listen to this for orchestra.
Evokes a rare ability to express emotion via a note, motif or melody. Pure musical bliss. Only Wagner could emote musically like this.
I have been very inactive uploading, but I decided I would peruse the comments on some of the music I have uploaded. Elsewhere, no one could behave themselves, but everyone seems very cool under the Pleasure Dome. I love this piece of music and the poem. I got this CD many years ago when I was signed up for BMG Classical. Remember that mail order crap?
BMG was the best of the mail order outlets. Lots of free CDs and no commitment required.
Yes, the Impromptu is an enjoyable piece of 'impressionism' with even a daub of Poulenc here and there! I've just listened to 'Skyscrapers' which I found very engaging and thoroughly 'American' in feel. My first thought was of a Gershwin influence but then noticed Carpenter's composition date (1926). However, boh Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F were written by then so some cross-fertilisation is possible I guess - maybe both ways?
I've just lisened to it and enjoyed it! I imagined, whilst listening, that Carpenter might have composed film music but it appears that he didn't!
Kubla Khan
BY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Or, a vision in a dream. A Fragment.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round;
And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;
And here were forests ancient as the hills,
Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted
Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover!
A savage place! as holy and enchanted
As e’er beneath a waning moon was haunted
By woman wailing for her demon-lover!
And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething,
As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing,
A mighty fountain momently was forced:
Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst
Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail,
Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher’s flail:
And mid these dancing rocks at once and ever
It flung up momently the sacred river.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion
Through wood and dale the sacred river ran,
Then reached the caverns measureless to man,
And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean;
And ’mid this tumult Kubla heard from far
Ancestral voices prophesying war!
The shadow of the dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves;
Where was heard the mingled measure
From the fountain and the caves.
It was a miracle of rare device,
A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!
A damsel with a dulcimer
In a vision once I saw:
It was an Abyssinian maid
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount Abora.
Could I revive within me
Her symphony and song,
To such a deep delight ’twould win me,
That with music loud and long,
I would build that dome in air,
That sunny dome! those caves of ice!
And all who heard should see them there,
And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread
For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of Paradise.
A CD called Goddess of the Moon contains his last works, including the amazing Cairn of Korridwen. The instrumentation of this suite has to be heard to be believed.
I have to get that CD---I want to listen to Cairn---. He also did a ballet I Belive called 'Sho Jo'? I'm trying to think of another Impressionistic American composer and I think Griffes is it.
+Ian Elliott I want those two works--don't see them here---can I buy the cd on amazon?
I CAME HERE FOR MY RESEARCH THAT'S ALL...YET I STILL STAYED TILL THE END. :)
Thanks for the recommendation - I do enjoy Butterworth's music!
Also...Carpenter's "Adventures In A Perambulator" here too...
Hi - just listened to Parts 1 and 2 and enjoyed them, finding them well crafted, engaging and very well orchestrated though perhaps not up to the level of Griffes. I'll give Part 3 a listen and then try the Carpenter. Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks very much for sending this to me Julian, I'd never heard of him or this peice before. I can hear why you mentioned John Foulds and Griffes in the same sentence even though they still each have their own unique sound.
just found out composser is a passed cousin of mine
Really? Can you tell us more?
So sorry- you are in the in the British Iles!! So silly of me too 'introduce" Butterworth to you!
If you have not heard it, Deems Taylor - "Through The Looking Glass" is on YT in 3 parts, and a most attractive tonal/impressionistic work by another American. A man influenced by the same 'school' as Griffes---better known as a critic and commentator here and for being the 'host' of the original FANTASIA"...but it is attractive music I think you would like too...
Griffes's early death robbed America of having an 'impressionistic' composer---yes, there was folk (Copland), Jazz (Gershwin, Bernstein) but not what Griffes would have further done. A shame.
If you like Griffes...and are unfamiliar with the English George Butterworth...you may find enjoyment listening to his works as well...
Great composer who died too young.
Most certainly must have influenced some composers of the 'Golden Age' of movies, and 'schooled' in the same compositional techniques and harmony he was here in the states...
@gmmakesmehurl Agreed!
This was written by Griffes about the mens’ bathhouses that he frequented. Some people call it the first AIDS song. Griffes contrasted the pleasure he got barebacking with the fear he felt upon his diagnosis with HIV.
I don't know the purpose behind your post. Griffes diagnosed with HIV? Griffes died 49 YEARS before the first AIDS case was diagnosed.
No-not his level, but in the 'ballpark' as we say here--same with the Carpenter...enjoy!
John Alden Carpenter : Impromptu, from 2 Piano Pieces (1915)-you might also enjoy--played by a YTuber--but creditably, and is fine impressionistic work that should be more played....