I’ve always been interested in combining compositional techniques from the distant past and the present. In “Small Song” I’ve used two old techniques in particular: modal tonality, in this case Eb-Dorian, which dates from the Middle Ages, and hocket, a Renaissance-era technique in which a melody is broken and passed between musicians. I combined these centuries-old tools with newer techniques like Sprechstimme, vocal slides, pointillism, and polyrhythms to create something that sounds simultaneously old and contemporary. Inspired by the text of Mary Logue’s poem “Song” from Hand Work, I wanted the melody to be an ear-worm, something that gets caught in your imagination as you go about your day. Elements of the text and melody are then broken between different parts, emulating the improvisations and permutations that a melody goes through as it marinades in one’s head.

New York Times-bestselling author Mary Logue has published over thirty books, including mystery novels, poetry, non-fiction books, and many books for children. Her awards include a Minnesota Book Award, a Wisconsin Outstanding Achievement award and an Edgar nomination. Her latest book, The Streel, was an honor WILLA literary award finalist. Her poetry book, Meticulous Attachment, received a Midwest Booksellers honor award. Her picture book, Sleep Like a Tiger, won a Charlotte Zolotow honor, a Caldecott honor, and Best Picture Book award in Japan. Mary has also worked as an editor at Simon and Schuster, Graywolf Press and The Creative Company. She has taught in the writing programs at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University and written for the New York Times, the Star Tribune, and the Village Voice.  She lives with writer Pete Hautman in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Stockholm, Wisconsin.

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