Search - Elender Wall, Bryant Kong, William Bolcom :: The Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld and Other Fresh American Art Songs

Already the subject of international attention, The Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld is an unusual and timely set of songs whose lyrics are direct quotes from the Secretary?s Pentagon briefings. Set to music by San Francisco composer Bryant Kong, the texts were previously arranged into poems by Hart Seely and published in a book, Pieces of Intelligence, in 2003. The humorous new songs?which are also serious classical music?have been featured on CNN and NPR?s Morning Edition; in dozens of major newspapers; and in television, radio, and print worldwide including the BBC. If you think of Rumsfeld as a character in a "Gulf Wars II" musical, these are the songs he might sing. The seven songs show the Secretary not only holding forth from his press podium, but in introspective moments as well. These opposing moods are the natural results of the situation in which Rumsfeld finds himself: he is trying to sell a story that can?t be sold. The songs are written in an accessible classical style with strong popular influences, from cabaret to pop. The words to "The Unknown" are now classic ("As we know, there are known knowns?"). "Happenings" includes words now spoken by Rumsfeld in Fahrenheit 9/11. Other songs include a waltz and even a Baroque aria. Debut artists Elender Wall and Kong are currently on their concert tour, Weapons of Mass Distraction. New label Stuffed Penguin Music seeks to bring innovative classical music to a broader audience. The album features new and rare American art songs, including many first recordings. Cabaret Songs by William Bolcom reflect both German and American cabaret styles. Expunged Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes are given jazzy settings by Jerry Mueller. Finally, the rare Five Lewis Carroll Poems are settings by John Duke of the famous Alice in Wonderland poems.