THE SINGER'S DANCE
In this stand-alone movement from "The Wound in the Water", we are awed at the powerful landscape around us, sky, water, earth, and we are reminded of the beauty of our common global home that we need to take better care of.
Commissioned for the Opening Concert of St. Olav Festival, Trondheim, Norway (Olavsfestdagene) in 2016 and premiered by Conspirare, soprano soloist Elin Manahan Thomas and conductor Craig Hella Johnson.
May be performed without the strings.
SCORES
SATB & piano (opt. strings)
Printed scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Boosey & Hawkes, J. W. Pepper
Digital scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing (Enter catalog number 1411)
SSAA & piano (opt. strings)
Printed scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing, J. W. Pepper
Digital scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing (Enter catalog number 1488)
SATB full score with string parts
Digital scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing
SSAA full score with string parts
Digital scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing
THE TEXT
The leaves have fallen away, and dance
to the wind-song in the garden,
and through new naked trees, we see
the two great rivers in their beauty
and restless power. The driven clouds
burn like comets in our aerial ocean,
the air is alight with the cries of birds
flocking southwards like the music
once exiled from the heart, yet our hearts
erupt and here, on this wind-driven hill
we are drawn to the centre of the dance,
and we know we are helplessly singing,
seeking whatever in us we cannot stop,
the song ceaseless, leaping, our utter yes.
Euan Tait
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