Landau: The Sake of You
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- Composer: Jake Landau (1995-)
- Instrumentation: Piano, Mezzo Soprano, Drone
- Work: The Sake of You (2025)
- Work Language: English
- Size: 8.5 x 11.0 inches
- Pages: 13
Description
The Sake of You, Jake Landau (2024) for mezzo, drone a2, and piano
"The Sake of You" was commissioned by mezzo Devony Smith and pianist Danny Zelibor for their debut album In This Short Life , along with "Sew My True Love (Jubilee)".****
Devony and Danny are both treasured collaborators, most frequently performing an artsong of mine called "Mary's Song" from the song cycle As He Is Mine. "Mary's Song" features in its third refrain an optional "belting" moment in which the singer is requested to climactically sing in their chest voice, a technique more common in musical theater and pop writing than in classical. Devony produces a magnificent version of this, so, when she and Danny approached me about writing some songs for their album, we knew we wanted to continue this unique idea.****
Devony and Danny's album In This Short Life featured texts exclusively by American writers. Taking the Scottish text of "Mary's Song" as inspiration, I began to explore Appalachian folk song lyrics. A musical lineage is traceable from the folk music traditions of Appalachia back to Scotland and other parts of the British Isles (in addition to African and indigenous traditions), so it felt a logical progression. for many years, Jean Ritchie has been one of my favorite collectors and performers of American folk music. I dove deep into her catalogue and found the two texts that became these artsongs (and many more I hope to set in the future).****
Of special musical interest in this song is the engagement of a drone—here defined as a pitch or group of pitches sounding constantly throughout a piece of music. As a lover of the simple as an anchor for the complex, I frequently use drones in my vocal and instrumental music. On an emotional level, I find that a drone communicates an insistence, an obsession, in which I find a lot to say. On the one hand, it is a jail cell, a harmonic prison, and the voice and piano are constantly pushing against the bars. Reharmonizations, dissonances, weaving above and below the drone—nothing is able to move or change it. But on the other, a drone is as much a canvas as it is a wall. These songs are the sounds of a person throwing themself against their own limitations: musical and emotional. Over the course of these songs, the character singing them does not change—they are merely revealed.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
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With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Landau: The Sake of You
