"What do the stars do?" [Donald Francis Tovey]

"What do the stars do?" [Donald Francis Tovey]

First line of lyrics: What do the stars do

Tovey, Donald Francis, Sir; music (British, 1875-1940)

Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)

1916 [publication] [copyright]

London: The Year Book Press, A. & C. Black Ltd.; London : H. F. W. Deane & Sons The Year Book Press Ltd.

genre: children's music|song

solo: voice

chorus: children's unison chorus

instrumentation: piano

initial sharps/flats: four flats

initial time signature: 3/4

origin: United Kingdom

male composer

English

Rossetti poem(s): "'What do the stars do'"

Composition history: This song was composed for The Year Book Press Series book called "Kookoorookoo and Other Poems" (1916). On the title page of the H.F.W. Deane & Sons publication, it states: "Words used by permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co., Ltd." "Koorookookoo and Other Poems" contains 26 songs, each setting a poem from Rossetti's collection "Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book." The Preface from "Koorookookoo and Other Poems" states: "'I will set as many as you like at once.' Such a stimulating remark from an English composer at the head of his profession could not fail to turn the scales in the mind of a hesitating Editor who wondered whether he was right in suggesting the musical treatment of the charming yet simple verses of Christina Rossetti. The Editor at once approached some of the many composers who have already shown through their sound work that there are men in England competent to help our children in forming a native musical appreciation based on contemporary English musical thought. One and all readily and cheerfully gave of their best, and the Editor and Publisher here record their grateful thanks. The Editor believes that the English public will welcome such work, and that the pleasure which the composers were pleased to express in doing the work will be equally felt by the children—grown-up and young—for whom this book is written. A unique 'Contents' page adds a touch of personal interest in the book." Ives (DM202-DM227) writes "the collection originated with Martin Ackerman, the editor of the Year Book Press Music Series."

Tempo markings: "Calmly, without dragging, but well sustained."

Notes: "KEY A [flat]"

Format 1: musical score

Contains tonic sol-fa notation

2 pages

In reference to the published works below: Ives DM221; Gooch and Thatcher 4852

Reference: Ives, Maura. Christina Rossetti: A Descriptive Bibliography. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2011.

Reference: Gooch, Bryan N.S. and David S. Thatcher. Musical Settings of Early and Mid-Victorian Literature: A Catalogue. New York: Garland, 1979.

Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html

Cataloguer: Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa

musical score: "What do the stars do?." Kookoorookoo and Other Songs. London, Year Book Press, A. & C. Black Ltd., 1916, pp. 38-39. Scott Library, York University, Toronto.

Record: CRM-whatdothestars-tovey

File(s): CRM-whatdothestars-tovey.pdf

"Copyright, 1916, by The Year Book Press"

The Christina Rossetti in Music project website is hosted in Canada at the University of Ottawa Library, and we aim to comply with Canadian copyright laws. If you believe we have violated Canadian copyright law, please contact us at christinarossettimusic@uottawa.ca. The Christina Rossetti in Music project is strictly not for profit and intended for research and educational purposes only.