The Far Horizon [Autograph manuscript piano-vocal score] by CADMAN, Charles Wakefield 1881-1946 - 1933: [A Cantata of Chinese Character for Soprano, Baritone and Chorus of Mixed Voices. Poem by Juanita E. Roos]

1933. Folio (320 x 240 mm). Notated in pencil on 12-stave music paper. Signed. Dated on the final page "Began Jan. 6th 1933 Finished on Feb. 8th, 2:20 p.m. 1933."

[1]: Brief title and composer's singed inscription in ink to the librettist: "Original Ms. of this Cantata given to Juanita Roos, by the composer Charles Wakefield Cadman," with Cadman's stamped name and postal address in La Mesa, California, to foot of page.

[2]: Blank

[3]: Detailed autograph title

[4]-[34] pp. autograph musical manuscript, with autograph dedication to head of first page of music (page 4): "To my charming friend Lilly Ho Quon who gave me some folk-tunes to play with."

A working manuscript with numerous corrections and alterations. With a number of both textual and musical differences from the published score, particularly as regards the last several pages. Apparently lacking 12 measures, being most of the a cappella section (pp. 21-22 of the printed score), with text commencing "Hungry winds now tear the lute strings".

Some minor wear, soiling, and staining, outer bifolium split at spine, but in very good condition overall.

Together with:
A copy of the first edition of the printed score published by C.C. Birchard & Co., Boston, 1934. "In this Cantata ... Cadman has turned his attention to the Chinese motive. He has used characteristic intervals and familiar themes with his accustomed easy and pleasing effect. The story is of the attempt of friends to comfort through memories a youth saddened by the premature death of his betrothed. The poem is expressively set, the parts being woven with emphasis on the harmonious rather than dissonant, thus throwing weight toward the hopeful elements of life and victory over sorrow." Susan T. Canfield in the Music Educators Journal, Vol. 21, No. 2, October 1934, pp. 58 and 60.

"Cadman became interested in the music of the American Indians ... In January 1909 he arranged and published Four American Indian Songs op.45, of which From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water became enormously popular ... In 1918 the Metropolitan Opera produced Shanewis or The Robin Woman, the first of his three stage works centred on Amerindian themes and based professedly on events in the life of Princess Redfeather. It included fascinating Amerindic scenes, contagious Amerindian-derived melodies, and attractive orchestration. Shanewis was highly successful ... In 1926 [Cadman] received an honorary doctorate from the University of Southern California. He also composed several film scores and in 1929 worked under contract for Fox Studios. He was a founder of the Hollywood Bowl and a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Cadman's music is marked by well-made melodies ... He belongs to that group of American composers - which also included Farwell, Gilbert, Nevin, and Skilton - who 'idealized' ... the music of the American Indians." David E. Campbell, revised by Nicholas E. Tawa in Grove Music Online.