Seven Songs of Longing (2007)
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for tenor, a cappella
Notes
Seven Songs of Longing was written in two stages. I first wrote the text over the course of nine days while my then girlfriend toured Europe with the University Choral Society of Bowling Green State University. I wrote the music in the second stage some time after she and I had parted ways. Because of this, the piece represents both parts of longing—both the positive, happy longing and the sad, mournful longing. The movements are composed individually and could be sung without the others, however it is intended that the piece be sung in its entirety. The duration is approximately 12 minutes.
Texts
Spring
The warmth of the world returns
As snow melts and green grass grows.
The white crystalline blankets have been cast aside
While the flowing waters burst forth in song.
Contemplating the wonders of love,
The warmth of the world returns.
Streams
Softly spoken water tumbles grey pebbles
Smoothing jagged edges and snags
Stones of shimmering beauty
Slowly emerge to be claimed
Silent companions entwined
Savoring each other
Summer
Multi- hued droplets coalesce on tall glasses
Yellow wedges suspended
Filling the vessels with tangy, sweet somethings.
Settled in a rocking motion
Clinking glasses enveloped
Avian interruptions resound through perspiring air
They gaze toward lush greens
Two companions cherished
Content
Leaves
Freed from drab constraint
Two verdant leaflets tumble
Through elevated fragrant breezes
Flowing around each other
Enjoying the shared exploration
Sensations of flying abound
Sensually skirting the currents
Entangled in blissful delight
Autumn
Piles stacked child-high in the waning warmth
Awaiting the explosive discharge of
Hundreds of multi- colored voyagers
And two sources of silvery laughter that
Prepare the ground for the next attempt.
Twilight
The air grows warm around the hearth
Filling the chill left by summer’s passing.
Under the purple crochet of a loved one,
With the crackle, pop, snap, crinkle,
Companions snuggle seeing spectacles
And take joy in the fading light
Together.
Winter
The soft-spoken crystalline blanket returns
To little fanfare or pronouncement.
From the windows, they watch the confetti fall,
Content to embrace under their own blanket.
As they drift to slumber in each others’ arms,
The soft-spoken crystalline blanket returns.
Performances
Premiere—Planned for the 2007-2008 season at Bowling Green State University.
