A performance analysis of Ellwood Derr's I Never Saw Another Butterfly.

摘要

This research paper examines Ellwood Derr's I Never Saw Another Butterfly, a song cycle for soprano, alto saxophone, and piano. The cycle consists of five songs with poetry by children who were incarcerated in the Terezin ghetto for Jews, deported to Auschwitz, and all of whom died by October 1944. The present writer reviewed literature concerning historical information about Terezin, Czech Republic. In addition to her research, she engaged in a musical examination of the work, resulting in a commentary on the musical elements of the song cycle and how they express the text. Methodology included the performance of a lecture recital of the work, during which historical information and a performance analysis of the song cycle were provided before a performance of the work was presented. Research, analysis, and performance experiences revealed that Ellwood Derr composed this song cycle as a chamber work for three performers, and he utilized several musical devices with which to communicate the emotion of the texts. Furthermore, the recurrence of musical devices and other cyclical elements support the conclusion that this work fits the definition of a song cycle.