Unlike a traditional hymn, “The Serpent” is a character piece. The text, written by Hoiby himself, is a first-person monologue delivered by the Serpent from the Garden of Eden. It is clever, seductive, and witty. Rather than painting the Serpent as purely evil, Hoiby’s version is an intellectual provocateur—arguing that the pursuit of knowledge (eating the apple) is a virtue, not a sin.
Lee Hoiby died in 2011. Under current U.S. copyright law (and internationally), his works remain under copyright protection until 70 years after his death (until at least 2081). The sheet music is published by Schott Music and E.C. Schirmer Music Company . the serpent lee hoiby pdf
If you’ve stumbled across the search term “The Serpent Lee Hoiby PDF,” you are likely a singer, a vocal coach, or a sacred music enthusiast looking for a rare gem. You’ve come to the right place. Unlike a traditional hymn, “The Serpent” is a
If you are an accompanist looking to learn the piece quickly, search YouTube for “The Serpent Lee Hoiby” to hear recordings by artists like Leontyne Price (for whom Hoiby wrote many works). Listen to the slithering phrasing before you buy the sheet music. Rather than painting the Serpent as purely evil,
Have you performed “The Serpent”? What character choices did you make for the Garden of Eden scene? Let me know in the comments below.
Let’s clarify what this piece is, why it’s so compelling, and—most importantly—the legal and practical realities of finding that elusive digital copy. “The Serpent” is a dramatic art song for voice and piano composed by the acclaimed American composer Lee Hoiby (1926–2011). A student of the great Gian Carlo Menotti, Hoiby was a master of lyrical, theatrical vocal writing.