ENJAMIN LEES
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      • Odyssey 2
      • Passacaglia for Orchestra
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      • Piano Sonata No. 4
      • Piano Trio No. 2 "Silent Voices"
      • Scarlatti Portfolio
      • Six Ornamental Etudes
      • Sonata No. 3
      • String Quartet No.1
      • String Quartet No.2
      • String Quartet No. 4
      • String Quartet No. 5
      • String Quartet No. 6
      • Symphony No. 2
      • Symphony No. 3
      • Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles"
      • Symphony No. 5 "Kalmar Nyckel"
      • Variations for Piano and Orchestra
      • Violin Concerto
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Medea of Corinth ...


Benjamin Lees...thirty-minute Medea in Corinth is for four singers and the unlikely opera-pit ensemble of wind quintet and tympani. It was first performed by the Grosvenor Ensemble in London in 1971, and received a CBS Television production in 1974. The vocal score is also a full score, complete and excellent. The libretto, adapted from Robinson Jeffers, is of high quality, a pleasure to hear and to sing. Lees sets it with unusual clarity--of American opera composers, he surpasses all but Virgil Thomson in his skill with words. The story is the grisly one of Medea killing her own children in revenge for Jason's betrayal.

Lees' music is as austere as the play--the wind writing relies heavily on parallel intervals, often fifths, usually in dissonant chromatic combinations. But surprisingly, this austerity gives great simplicity and dignity to the wind quintet sound, which can easily be trivially charming. The vocal writing is varied and flattering, especially for Medea--this should be a showpiece for great mezzo-sopranos. In addition to the high drama one would expect in the role, there is a diatonic passage just before the killing that is breathtaking and heartbreakingly tender. Altogether, this Medea is unlike any other, in fact unlike any other work in the repertory. Both music and text have the plainspoken quality that often characterizes the best in American art. It makes me want to hear Lees' other music as well. If his other works are as original and gripping as Medea, there is much here for performers and listeners to enjoy.

SCOTT WHEELER
Notes, March 1989
Emerson College


  • Home
  • Biography
    • The Introduction
    • Biography of the Man
    • Biographical Chronology
    • Awards
    • Feature Articles
    • Yale's Acquisition
  • Compositions
    • Written Works >
      • Chronological List of Works
      • A Capella
      • Chamber Works
      • Works for Concert Band
      • Orchestral Works
      • Works for Solo Instrument
      • Stage Works
      • Works for Solo Instrument & Orchestra
      • Song Cycles & Solo Vocal Works
      • Works for Voice(s) and Orchestra
    • Reviews >
      • Reviews - Piano Music 1947 - 2005 >
        • Review - Uncle Dave Lewis (AllMusic Blog)
        • Review - Shirley Ratcliffe
        • Review - Scott Morrison
      • Borealis
      • Concerto for Brass Choir and Orchestra
      • Concerto for Chamber Orchestra
      • Concerto for French Horn and Orchestra
      • Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
      • Concerto for Violin & Orchestra - April 29, 2008
      • Concerto for Woodwind Quintet and Orchestra
      • Constellations for Orchestra
      • Divertimento-Burlesca
      • Echoes of Normandy
      • Etudes for Piano and Orchestra
      • Fantasy Variations for piano
      • Medea of Corinth
      • Mirrors
      • Oboe Concerto
      • Odyssey 1
      • Odyssey 2
      • Passacaglia for Orchestra
      • Piano Concerto No. 3
      • Piano Sonata No. 4
      • Piano Trio No. 2 "Silent Voices"
      • Scarlatti Portfolio
      • Six Ornamental Etudes
      • Sonata No. 3
      • String Quartet No.1
      • String Quartet No.2
      • String Quartet No. 4
      • String Quartet No. 5
      • String Quartet No. 6
      • Symphony No. 2
      • Symphony No. 3
      • Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles"
      • Symphony No. 5 "Kalmar Nyckel"
      • Variations for Piano and Orchestra
      • Violin Concerto
  • Media
    • Interviews >
      • Interview KPFA 94.1 FM
      • Interview KUSC fm 91.5
    • Documentary
    • Photos
    • Audio
    • Video Clips #1
    • Video Clips #2
  • Recordings
  • Contact