The Ship of Death (1993-96)

A symphonic-oratorio setting of the poem by D. H. Lawrence by Evan Hause. Duration: 1 hour. Unperformed.

My influences for this work are: gospel, jazz, rock, Mahler, Berg, Wagner, Vaughn Williams (of the Sea Symphony), John Adams (of Harmonium and Harmonielehre), Corigliano (of Symphony #1), Rouse, Penderecki, Mozart, The Doors, and the litany of my usual favorites: Bach, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Yes, etc. It was written during my time as a student of William Bolcom, whose Songs of Innocence and of Experience I had not yet heard, only heard about.

The hour-long work is in two huge movements. In following the form of the poem, which is in ten sections, it breaks down as such: Part One: Introduction and Sections I - V; then Part Two: Introduction and Sections VI - X.

Midi realization by the composer.

This text will be replaced by the flash music player.

© by the Composer. All Rights Reserved.

Read the poem.

INSTRUMENTATION:

3 Flutes (1.2.3. doubling piccolos, 2. doubling alto flute)
3 Oboes (3. doubling English Horn)
2 Bb Clarinets (2. doubling Eb clarinet)
Bb Bass clarinet
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon

4 Horns
3 C Trumpets
2 Tenor Trombones
Bass trombone
Tuba

Timpani

Percussion (6+ players)

The required percussion instruments are: marimba, tuned gongs (see score for specific pitches), chinese opera gong, glockenspiel, crotales, vibraphone (plugged in), chimes, xylophone, tam-tam, bass drum, suspended cymbals (small, medium, large) together, large chinese cymbal, splash cymbal, guiro, crash cymbals (large and medium concert cymbals and small, ugly toy cymbals), 2 triangles (small, large) together, tenor drum and snare drum together, sleigh bells, tambourine, 2 woodblocks (large, small) and 2 cowbells (large, small) together, flexatone, police whistle, claves, 4 tom-toms, maracas, ratchet, and a deep bell tuned to A"

Piano and celesta (1 player)
Harp

4 Vocal soloists: Dramatic soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone

SATB Chorus

Strings