A Type of that Twin Entity

As I was hoping, I've made a few breakthroughs with "Silence," which is another song derived 100% from Poe:

There are some qualities--some incorporate things, That have a double life, which thus is made A type of that twin entity which springs From matter and light, evenced in solid and shade. There is a two-fold Silence--sea and shore-- Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places, Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces, Some human memories and tearful lore, Render him terrorless: his name's "No More." He is the corporate Silence: dread him not! No power hath he of evil in himself; But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!) Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf, That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod No foot of man) commend thyself to God!

I'm not entirely sure what I think of the poem itself... very dark. Anyway, Mr. C. told me to ignore all conventions of music writing for this and just make a pretty melody. We don't need the audience to really hear or understand the poem because a character speaks it earlier and it doesn't make any sense then either. Of course, it makes lots of references to twins, shadows, silence, and death, so it's perfect for this show.

Though I've found some nice melodies which fit with the flow of the words, I'm still not sure in which direction I want to take it. I have now a "haunting" option and a "sweetly comforting" option. Either works for the ghost of Annabel Lee (who sings the piece to William while he's in his bed). My opinion, since there's plenty of dark already in the show, is that having the song be sweet, pure, and hopeful would be best.

I think it can be hopeful because, in some way of interpretation, it's Annabel coming back and saying "death isn't so bad. It's your perception of death which is bad. So don't worry about it."

Or something like that.

Regardless, there's a ghost singing, and that's the important part.


Speaking of twins and twin entities, I got a message the other day from someone doing their own version of "Usher" at the New York Fringe Festival right now! In fact, their run just ended. It's a very different interpretation than the one Mr. C and I are going for- and very cool, I think. The few snippets of music that I can hear I think are very good. You can check them out at http://www.usherthemusical.com/


Moving back to college today. Should be an interesting year.