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Resounding Verse

Stephen Rodgers

Released: 2026-02-24

Free New

23 Episodes

Audio

Free New

23 Episodes

Audio

Released: 2026-02-24

Most Recent Episode

Das Blatt im Buche (The Leaf in the Book): Anastasius Grün and Pauline Decker

This episode explores the first song in a song cycle called Liebesblätter, which I assembled from stand-alone songs by Pauline Decker, using curation as a form of advocacy. The episode features a world-premiere recording of the song by tenor James Gi

Time: 29:43

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This episode explores the first song in a cycle I assembled from stand-alone songs by Pauline Decker—using curation as a form of advocacy.

It features a world-premiere recording of the song by tenor James Gilchrist and pianist Jocelyn Freeman. A recording of the entire song cycle, also featuring mezzo-soprano Katie Bray, can be found on my website Art Song Augmented. The score to the cycle is available via ClarNan Editions, a division of Classical Vocal Reprints.

For an account of the creation of this cycle, see my essay "Love Letters" from the Women's Song Forum.

Das Blatt im Buche

Anastasius Grün

*Ich seh’ eine alte Dame,

Die ein altes Büchlein hat,

Es liegt in dem alten Buche

Ein altes, dürres Blatt.

So dürr sind wohl auch die Hände,

Die’s einst im Lenz ihr gepflückt.

Was mag wohl die Alte haben,

Sie weint, wenn sie’s erblickt?

The Leaf in the Book

*I see an old woman

Who has a small, old book,

In the old book lies

An old, dried leaf.

The hands that once picked it for her in springtime

Are likely just as dry.

Whatever could be amiss with the old woman,

She weeps whenever she sees it?

(translation by Sharon Krebs)

* The original first line of Grün's poem is "Ich hab' eine alte Muhme" (I have an old aunt). I changed it to "Ich seh' eine alte Dame" (I see an old woman).

Episode ID: 1000751277564

GUID: Buzzsprout-18742509

Release Date: 24/02/2026, 23:00:00

Description

Join music theorist Stephen Rodgers as he explores how composers transform words into songs. Each episode discusses one poem and one musical setting of it. The music is diverse—covering a variety of styles and time periods, and focusing on composers from underrepresented groups—and the tone is accessible and personal. If you love poetry and song, no matter your background and expertise, this show is for you. Episodes are 20-40 minutes long and air every couple of months.

Feed URL

https://rss.buzzsprout.com/1766080.rss

Apple Podcasts: Customer Reviews

2021-06-06

Interesting and Accessible!

Wonderful to see such rich and interesting scholarship presented in this very accessible and engaging way. Thoroughly recommended for all who are curious about poetry and song.