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Read Sense of Humor Sets Composer Apart by Frank Magiera, The Telegram and Gazette.
Read a review of "Banks of the Ohio" from Love -- By the Water (1997) for SATB chorus and piano by Peter C. Gerdine, Vox in Camera.
Read a letter from Patrick Moore, May 19, 2004 ("Blow the Candles Out" from "Love -- By the Water")
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the first movement ("Blow the Candles Out") of this work performed by the New Classic Singers, Lee R. Kesselman, conductor.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the second movement ("Fare Thee Well") of this work.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the third movement ("Banks of the Ohio") of this work.
Additional performances:
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the first movement ("Blow the Candles Out") of this work performed by Albany Pro Musica, David Griggs-Janower, conductor.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the first movement ("Blow the Candles Out") of this work performed by Opus 24 Chorus, Milton Scott, conductor.
Listen to a RealAudio (G2) stream of the third movement ("Banks of the Ohio") of this work performed by the Sounding Joy! Singers, Marjorie Drysdale, conductor.
Commissioned by the New Classic Singers, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, Lee R. Kesselman, Music Director.
These are three ballads about love, and about water. They greet love ("Blow the Candles Out"), depart from love ("Fare Thee Well") and survive love! ("Banks of the Ohio"). The songs delve into the rich heritage of ballad repertoire -- exploring, expanding and updating the originals.
"Blow the Candles Out" exists with many sets of lyrics. The most American version, with reference to Portland, Maine, has been selected here. The piano accompaniment is created from patterns suggestive of ocean waves and candlelight.
"Fare Thee Well" can be found with many melodies, including the new one used here. The text is British in origin, and is derived from the New Testament "Till all these things be done." (Mark XIII) This song has been vastly expanded, with an inserted and impassioned middle section. At the opening, the piano represents the clock striking 3AM -- the hour of the lovers' parting. Later, the piano is the ocean.
"Banks of the Ohio" is a familiar American song. But a final verse is now added to dispel the "helpless female" syndrome. The moral of this song is that possessiveness does not pay!
Notes by the composer
Errata in first edition (with blue pictoral "river scene" covers) of published octavos:
1. "Blow the Candles Out": measure 19, left hand of accompaniment, third beat: upper voice should be d-natural.
2. "Banks of the Ohio": measure 51, last note for the second sopranos should be a-natural.