Magic Lantern Tales: A Music/Text Analysis of the Vocal Works of Cheryl-Frances-Hoad

Abstract

This document explores Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s song cycle Magic Lantern Tales, as a highlight of her oeuvre as well as of contemporary art song. Each song in the cycle, and a select few of Frances-Hoad’s other vocal works, will be studied from a performer’s perspective to identify Frances-Hoad’s compositional approach to song, as well as her individual style in Magic Lantern Tales. The document examines stylistic features and unifying elements of Frances-Hoad’s vocal repertoire, with particular emphasis on music/text relationships. This document is motivated by a desire to raise awareness of Frances-Hoad’s vocal literature. Serving as an introduction to Frances-Hoad and her vocal music, this document offers a biography of the composer and a music/text analysis of some of her vocal works, specifically Magic Lantern Tales. For each of her songs examined, background, compositional style, and text setting will be considered. A study of each of these elements, combined and in conjunction with the context of the poetry, will reveal Frances-Hoad’s approach to portraying a story, especially through text painting. It will also explore the role this particular cycle plays as a historical commemoration of World War I. As the proverbial saying goes, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Music not only involves, but has the power to move and change us. The commemorative nature of this song cycle in accordance with compositional and performance devices that carry the power of the words, and ultimately the stories, to the hearts of the listener, can create an experience of remembrance that ensures historical preservation through music. Ultimately my intention is to demonstrate the significance of Magic Lantern Tales to the genre of modern art song, and perhaps more importantly, to demonstrate Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s merit as a living song composer. In addition, this study of Frances-Hoad’s compositional style and approach to storytelling will hopefully bring a wider awareness of her vocal music as a whole, and will promote more frequent performances of this music among students and professionals alike.