Sunlight Echoes (2002)
For orchestra
Text by Emily Dickinson
Premiered by the Chicago Youth Symphony and the Chicago Children's Choir, Allen Tinkham conducting, 23 February 2002
Duration: 5 minutes
 |
Click to hear an excerpt from this work |
#228 — by Emily Dickinson
Blazing in Gold and quenching in Purple
Leaping like Leopards to the Sky
Then at the feet of the old Horizon
Laying her spotted Face to die
Stooping as low as the Otter's Window
Touching the Roof and tinting the Barn
Kissing her Bonnet to the Meadow
And the Juggler of Day is gone
Some thoughts from the Composer
Colorful/vivid/vibrant
Dramatic/gripping
Bold/Spirited/Intense
Harmonically clean and resonant
Taylor-made for this youth orchestra and youth choir
5 minutes duration
Solo cello and solo English horn are featured
Good youth trumpet players needed
Emily Dickinson's texts are sublime; this one descries a sunrise and sunset. Likewise, the music paints the scene of the sun rising, ablaze with gold and purple. Then the music ebbs and flows in multicolored waves and finally fades away in a playful gesture, mimicking the energy of the sun at the very split second that it rolls behind the horizon.
Celebrates nature.
Youth musicians/optimistic piece.
Augusta Read Thomas
To obtain examination or performance material for any of Augusta Read Thomas's works, please contact G. Schirmer Inc..