On the weekend of May 1st and 2nd of 2021, IUE faculty and guest artists gathered in Vivian Auditorium to rehearse and record Nathan Froebe’s new song cycle, “In Paths Untrodden,” set for two un-gendered voices and Pierrot ensemble (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano). This song cycle consists of ten poems by Walt Whitman, set to music by Dr. Nathan Froebe (composer, conductor), and depicts the navigation of an LGBTQ+ relationship in the messy aftermath of romantic separation. The work itself constituted the entirety of the music performance, as the cycle is approximately thirty-five minutes in length.

Due to the pandemic, there was no audience. The performance premiered on Facebook Live.  You can view the performance of “In Paths Untrodden.”

We also have Dr. Froebe’s interview on how and why he created this piece, his experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and his musical background. This interview touches on topics related to music composition and performance, relationships, mental health, allyship, campus support of LGBTQ+, and lack of women/trans/POC representation amongst composers. You can read a transcrip of Dr. Froebe’s interview in Appendix 11.

Dr. Froebe has also donated the program to this performance and the musical score to the IU East LGBTQ+ Archive collection.