783C490C-6165-4611-8103-6E2AFBA1C434

Update Delete

ID783C490C-6165-4611-8103-6E2AFBA1C434
TitlecodeR00008
Title NameMarita and Her Heart's Desire: A Chamber Music Fairy Tale for Large Ensemble and Actress
Marketing CopyA charming story of a young girl who goes searching for her heart's desire, which only the moon atop Harper's department store can unveil to her. With enchanting music and a story by a writer for the Muppets and Sesame Street, Marita's a pure delight.
InstrumentationActress (Narrator with multiple Voices), Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trombone, Perc(1), Harp, 2 Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
CommissionCommissioned by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music /1993 Northwest, Bravo! Colorado Festival, and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesThe story involves young Marita's search for her heart's desire, which her mother says "is the thing you want more than anything in the whole world, and only the moon can give you that." Marita knows that the moon sits on top of Harper's department store, so one night she goes to talk to it. Along the way she meets a number of animals who join her on her quest.
Title Brand2
Year Composed1993
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration22
Ensemble Size12
Date Created2008-10-31 20:31:35.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:31:35
Inhouse NoteFS must include note on instrumentation change until revised
Bsc Code(not set)
Text AuthorLibretto and Story by Louise Gikow
Premier Performance Memo-World Premiere. Chamber Music Northwest. 24 Jul 94.
Recording CreditsRecorded by The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Bruce Adolphe, Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Telarc CD 80460.
Review"... And in the evening's featured work, the chemistry between New York composer Bruce Adolph's inventive music and a charming story by Louise Gikow Ñ who writes for the Muppets and "Sesame Street"--made Marita and Her Heart's Desire more than simply a successful children's piece.
<BR>
Marita is a sophisticated, modern work of art, full of expressive melodies that combine contrapuntally to produce rich layers of interwoven textures.
<BR><BR>
Yet it is so cleverly and logically constructed that a child could easily follow each instrument in the mix.
<BR><BR>
The story involves young Marita's search for her heart's desire, which her mother says "is the thing you want more than anything in the whole world, and only the moon can give you that." Marita knows that the moon sits on top of Harper's department store, so one night she goes to talk to it.
<BR><BR>
Along the way she meets a number of animals who join her on her quest.
<BR><BR>
Marita and all the animals' voices were joyfully rendered by Portland actress Michele Mariana, who gave each character a distinct personality. Marita had a cute doll's voice; the cat a swanky, feline purr. The dog was appropriately goofy, and the rat sounded like a tough member of the Mafia.
<BR><BR>
Each voice was matched by an instrument in the ensemble.
<BR><BR>
The cat was a clarinet, played by David Shifrin, who unleashed some of his slinky jazz chops to give the character a swinging, undeniably catty personality.

<BR><BR>
The rat crawled out of David Taylor's trombone with a comical swagger that slinked, strutted and then sank to the depths of the instrument's range.

<BR><BR>
Bassoonist Julie Feves barked life into the dog's goofy gait, and piccolo player Ransom Wilson perfectly captured the skittish energy of the mouse.

<BR><BR>
Composer Adolphe conducted the ensemble, getting great performances from all the players. By the time Marita and the audience found their heart's desire, the winning chemistry between the story and the music had produced more than a few adults with childlike grins on their faces." <BR>--Kip Richardson Special writer, The Oregonian
Awards(not set)
Title Category12
Title Movements(not set)
Title Grade(not set)
Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextOther Voice Type
Title Sub Category Text(not set)
Title Sub Category17
Title Instrument Header75
Title Grade Text(not set)
Clean Urlmarita-and-her-hearts-desire-a-chamber-music-fairy-tale-for-large-ensemble-and-actress-r00008