Composed upon the death of T. S. Eliot in February 1965. A setting of his “Song for Simeon”.
piano
The Flamingo Hat
Complete show here. Set in Colonial Georgetown, an enchanted hat causes havoc.
The Houseboat on the Styx
Based on a whimiscal novel by John Kendrick Bangs, the shades of famous men and women vie for control of an elegant club on the River Styx.
The Rose and the Ring
Complete show here.From an 1854 Christmas Pantomime of William Makepeace Thackery. Magical tokens cause the holders to love or be loved, bringing personal and political problems to the kingdom of Crim Tartary.
Tularosa
Complete show here. A large New Mexican ranch secedes from the Union over 1960s political issues.
Houseboat
Complete show here plus videos below. This re-write of the 1957 show adds star turns for Sherlock Holmes, Captain Kidd and Lucretia Borgia.
Houseboat 7 from Mark Dirksen on Vimeo.
Thank we all, Our God
A True Hymn
Really a sacred song – text by George Herbert – with optional obbligato instrument. For this commission Dirksen received ‘a case of excellent wine.’
Night
A haunting major / minor nocturne, suitable for unison or solo voices with optional flute obbligato.
As it was in the days of Noah
O come, O come Emmanuel / Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,
The Raising of Lazarus
Score & audio. A mini-cantata, especially suitable for V Lent in Year A. Dirksen deploys all his dramatic skill at Lazare, veni foras.