Jonah's Song by Josh Forgét

Performed at the annual composition recital at Nazareth College on April 16, 2010
Dr. Linda Boianova, Piano
Zach Ligas, Baritone

This art song was composed using a text by the American novelist and poet Herman Melville. The poem that is used here can be found in the ninth chapter of Melvilles most widely known novel Moby Dick. The speaker is Father Mapple, the whaler-turned-preacher of a small 19th century chapel in Nantucket, Massachusetts. After a fervent prayer, Mapple retells the biblical story of Jonah in his own words, a gesture that amply foreshadows the fate of his seafaring congregation.
The colors of the whalers world were at the forefront of my mind as I composed this work. Dark blues, flat grays, and frothy whites permeate the Nantucket area, where his ship leaves harbor. Natural motion was another predominant feature of the setting. The undulation of the waves, the gliding of the gulls, and the sweeping motions of the preachers arms as he tells the terrible tale of Jonah, can all be heard in this composition. . .but the most interesting attribute of this lively atmosphere is its inherent stillness, a glassy calm that resembles a full-bodied breath. This stillness is formed using the four notes C, F#, B, and Bb in consecutive order, a motif that returns after its introduction in the beginning of the piece.


The ribs and terrors in the whale,
Arched over me a dismal gloom,
While all God's sun-lit waves rolled by,
And left me deepening down to doom.

I saw the opening maw of hell,
With endless pains and sorrows there;
Which none but they that feel can tell—
Oh, I was plunging to despair.

In black distress, I called my God,
When I could scarce believe him mine,
He bowed his ear to my complaints—
No more the whale did me confine.

With speed he flew to my relief,
As on a radiant dolphin borne;
Awful, yet bright, as lightening shone
The face of my Deliverer God.

My song for ever shall record
That terrible, that joyful hour;
I give the glory to my God,
His all the mercy and the power.

-Herman Melville

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Nazareth
• College
• Josh
• Forget
• Linda
• Boianova
• Zach
• Ligas
• Nancy
• Strelau

[Gary323ish]

I am very happy with the Pianist. She played the piano very very nicely. My eyes kept on watching her feet. She sure can operate the pedals with those sexy high heels. Those heels looks like 4 inches high, thin stilettos with pointy toes. (Those are my favorite kind of heels) How does she do it?, press on the pedals slow and smoothly while wearing such a high heel. She did not need to take the shoes off to play and nice tan legs also. She was not wearing any pantyhose.

[sorofolio]

A truly beautiful piece. I think you matched the mood exceedingly well, and I enjoyed listening to it. The pianist and singer performed very well. Wonderful work. : )

[Salyssa97]

Excellent!