Dawn

for mezzo-soprano, female choir and instrumental ensemble

year of composition

1992

duration

ca 25'

text

DAWN was composed in 1992 for mezzo-soprano, female choir and instrumental ensemble (flute, harp, percussion and string quintet) on commission from the Festival der Voorkempen. This cantata evocatively sets three poems by the Lebanese prophet Kahlil Gibran to music. Song of the Rain, Song of the Flower and Song of Love together form a single musical whole. This composition is characterised by a clearly intelligible treatment of the beautiful and positive poetry in a sober and transparent orchestration. Through an expansion of the vocal techniques of the singing voice (including speaking voice) and extensive instrumental procedures, a sound world unfolds that seeks to reveal the nature and essence of the texts.

instrumentation

Flute (also Piccolo, Alto flute, Finger Cymbals), Percussion, Mezzo-soprano, Harp, Violin, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double bass

first performance date

18.06.1992

first performance place

Festival der Voorkempen, Schilde-Bergen, Belgium

first performance by

Mireille Capelle, Eugène Ysaÿe Ensemble

conductor

Koen Kessels

ismn number

9790065136899

commissioned by

commissioned by Festival der Voorkempen