C19: In Unconsciousness (2020)

The concept of this piece came from my experience during shelter in place. In Unconsciousness is a poem by Alice Ruth Moore. This is one of three songs cycles I’m currently working on. There are nine instruments that have a solo movement , three movements that are trios, two tutti without the singer and the remaining five movements are songs with various combinations equaling nineteen movements. Included in the score is 6 movements. The other two brother cycles are for tenor the second for Baritone.

Duration 32 minutes

II. There was a big booming in my ears

There was a big booming in my ears 

great heavy iron bells that swung to-and-fro on either side, 

and sent out deafening reverberations 

ahh that steeped the senses in a musical 

melody of sonorous sound; 

to-and-fro, 

backward and forward, 

yet ever receding 

in a gradually widening circle, 

monotonous, mournful, weird, 

suffusing the soul with an unutterable sadness, 

as images of wailing processions, 

of weeping, empty-armed women, and widowed maidens

flashed through the mind,

and settled on the soul with a crushing,

 o'er-pressing weight of sorrow.

IV. And now, peace

And now, peace, perfect, unconditioned, 

sublime peace, and rest, and silence. 

For to the great depths of the mighty ocean

 the solemn bells cannot penetrate, and no sound,

 not even the beatings of one's own heart, is heard. 

In the heart of eternity 

there can be nothing to break 

the calm of frozen æons.

In the great white hall I lay, 

silent, unexpectant, calm, and smiled 

in perfect content 

at the web 

of auburn hair 

which trailed across my couch.

 No passionate longing for

 life or love, 

no doubting question of heaven or hell,

 no strife for carnal needs,

—only rest, content, peace—happiness,

 perfect, whole, complete, sublime.