Shakespeare Songs is a seven-movement song cycle that reimagines the timeless words of William Shakespeare through an intimate and evocative instrumentation: soprano, cello, and harpsichord. Each movement draws on a different text, weaving together pastoral lyricism, playful dance, and meditative reflection. The cycle begins with the serene “Orpheus with his Lute Made Trees” from Henry VIII, setting a tone of enchantment and quiet power. The lightness and charm of “Where the Bee Sucks, There Suck I” from The Tempest follows. Next, “Spring” from Love’s Labour’s Lost offers a burst of rustic celebration, after which a solo harpsichord interlude provides a moment of agitated contrast. The cycle’s heart lies in the setting of “The Phoenix and the Turtle,” a text of mysterious beauty and solemnity, followed by a solo cello interlude that deepens the reflective mood. The work concludes with “Under the Greenwood Tree” from As You Like It, bringing a sense of gentle resolution and pastoral ease. By blending the early music timbre of the harpsichord with the expressive warmth of the cello and the clarity of the soprano voice, Shakespeare Songs bridges past and present—honoring the lyricism of Shakespeare while exploring fresh colors and resonances.
