David Solomons

singer, one-man choir, guitarist and composer

The grasshopper and the ant - flute, voice, guitar

SM-000184597
Alternative title
La cigale et la fourmi
Composer
David W Solomons
Lyricist
Jean de La Fontaine
Translator
Stanley Solomons
Publisher
David W Solomons
Genre
Classical / Song
Instrumentation
Flute, Voice, Classical guitar
Scored for
Trio
Type of score
Full score, Parts
Duration
2'50"
Language
English
Difficulty
Medium
Year of composition
2010

Description
A setting of the La Fontaine poem La cigale et la fourmi
as translated into English by my father
The recording is an electronic preview, the vocal part being represented by a French horn

Text of this English version:

The Grasshopper in drowsy song
Had spent the pleasant summer long,
And found herself without a crumb
When winter's icy blast had come.
Not one small morsel could she spy
Of puny worm or measly fly.

So off she went to cry her want
Straight to her neighbour Madame Ant,
Merely asking for a loan
Of bread or grain to eke her own
Until the plenteous time came round.

"I'll pay you back, or I'll be bound
By August, word of animal,
Both interest and principal."

The Ants are not a lending lot
Indeed that is their slightest fault.

"What were you doing when 'twas hot?"
She asked this impecunious sort.
" To all who came, both day and night
I used to sing at every chance."

"You used to sing? That's fine and right!
Well now's the very time - to dance!"
©S.N.Solomons




The zip file contains the score and separate parts for the guitar and melody instrument.

A more sophisticated and updated version of this setting, using La Fontaine's original French poem,
with narrator, clarinet, bassoon and piano
was premiered at the "fou de basson" festival in Angoulême, France, in 2013
That version is published by Commixtus at
http://www.commixtus.fr/index.php?page=edition

Upload date
20 May 2013

Price

Sheet music file
9.00 USD
ZIP, 210.2 Kb

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