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Stan Charkey's 'Vermont Headstones' Brings Past Reflections To Life

Courtesy of Marlboro College
Stan Charkey, professor of music at Marlboro College, recently released a cycle of 12 songs titled 'Vermont Headstones' which pairs poetic inscriptions from historic Vermont cemeteries with music for baritone, oboe and viola.

Marlboro College music professor Stan Charkey has written a new work and it’s one that poignantly brings to life quiet moments from Vermont’s history.

Vermont Headstones is a cycle of 12 songs for baritone, oboe and viola that uses poetic inscriptions from historic Vermont cemeteries for the lyrics. The piece had its world premiere in November of 2014. Professor Charkey joined VPR Classical to talk about what inspired this project and the previously unknown Vermonters whose stories became songs.

Several lyric selections from the 12 songs:

Dr. Samuel Stearns (Brattleboro) Sacred to the memory of Doctor Samuel Stearns L.L.D. Who died August eighth eighteen-ten aged sixty three Self-taught, Nature was his preceptor, Philosophy his mistress and astronomy his prompter. Disappointment ever succeeded his best endeavors- He deserved better. Ingratitude was the reward of his labors. Peace to his ashes Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmore (Castleton) In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmore Relict of Mr. Jonathan Gilmore She was an early professor of religion Adorned her profession by an exemplary life And conversation Joseph Porter Baldwin (Dorset) In memory of Joseph Porter Baldwin Son of Silas and Sarah Baldwin Who died April twenty-sixth I S H In the sixth year of his age. His death occasioned by Accidently falling under the pitman of a sawmill Terminating his existence.
vermont_headstones.mp3
Listen to 'Vermont Headstones' by Stan Charkey.

Performed by Daren Jackson, baritone, Mark Hill, oboe and Katherine Murdock, viola.

Broadcast Friday, April 24 at 8:30 a.m.

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