WHEN THE SOUTH WIND SINGS

WHEN THE SOUTH WIND SINGS
7 Songs for Soprano and Piano
on Poems by Carl Sandburg

Publisher
E. C. Schirmer Music Company

Catalog Number
8574

Order : Print
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Description
WHEN THE SOUTH WIND SINGS follows a narrative in which the first two poems shine bright light on reality after both a literal and a metaphorical storm, after which that light is amplified and changed into a more mysterious atmosphere by a fog that allows the speaker to feel free to confess his sins. The regular cycles of nature provide the winds that blow away that sin from the speaker, once it is confessed, after which the gentle light of a harvest moon provides the healing softness that allows even Death to whisper as a friend. Purification continues as we are reminded of the innocence of children to look up and stare in awe and wonder at the moon’s light, and finally the daily cycle of nature brings night to the town, where the forgiveness of that confessed sin allows its inhabitants to enjoy perfect peace and sleep.

Text
1 – Follies
2 – Mask
3 – Pearl Fog
4 – The South Wind Says So
5 – Under The Harvest Moon
6 – Child Moon
7 – Between Two Hills

Vocal Range
D 4  :  B-flat 5

Duration
24′ 00″

Vocal Tessitura
A 4  :  E 5

Commission
SongFest
2017 Sorel Commission
Los Angeles, California

First Performance
June 24, 2017
SongFest
Colburn School
Los Angeles, California

Year of Composition
2017

First Performers
Tabitha Burchett, soprano
Riley McKinch, piano

Listen
Tabitha Burchett, soprano
Riley McKinch, piano