Compositions - Valerie Saalbach

Below is a list of Valerie’s song cycles. Click the title of the cycle to get more information, see a page from each song, and hear clips.

Contact Val if you are interested in purchasing one of these song cycles.

Click the song title to see the first page of music.

Caterina to Camoens

The original cycle of 6 songs was composed in New York City in 1985 with 2 more added just prior to the original publication in 2003. The poems of Elizabeth Barrett were written during her betrothal to Robert Browning and were presented to him after their marriage. “Caterina to Camoens” is a series of 19 short poems rooted in the great love story of the 16th century Portuguese poet, Luis de Camoens and Caterina de Ataide, a young girl of the Lisbon court and the inspiration for his fiery love poems. Camoens was banished from Court because of this romance (Caterina was but 13), yet their love for each other remained unabated.

The single musical theme that unites these songs is the recurring musical motif on the words “Sweetest eyes were ever seen,” this text presumably a quote from the poetry of Camoens.

1. On The Door

2. But All Changes

3. Oh, my Poet

4. When Angelus is Ringing

5. When the Palace Ladies

6. Sweetest Eyes

7. But the Priest

8. I Will Look Out to his Future

Journey of Desire

Journey of Desire is based on the poetry of Steve Kowit.

These poems, taken from Mr. Kowit’s book, Gods of Rapture are inspired by the amatory poetry of India, a poetry composed in what Sanskrit prosodists call srngararasa, the erotic mood.

The original texts are of some of the most notable poets of the time—works that were composed between the 4th and 12th centuries, many written in the Bengali language.

1. Behold the Archer’s Skill (clip includes song #2. In the Morning)

2. In the Morning

3. Since I First Heard His Name

4. When He Pressed His Lips

5. In the Madness

6. Sometimes

7. A Terrible Cry

8. Let the Flame of my Passion

Poems of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, regarded as one of America’s greatest poets, wrote exquisite gems illuminating the natural world as well as the nature of immortality and death. Within short, compact phrases she expressed far-reaching ideas.

The poems included in this compilation range from a childlike delight to the wonder of a Morning, to the depths of love and passion.

1. Playmates

2. Love