Angel of Dreamers

Description

Voice, Trombone, Piano — Angel of Dreamers is a song cycle for bass-baritone (or mezzo-soprano) singer, trombone, and eitherstring orchestra, string quintet, or piano. It is based on the extraordinary poetry of the Jamaican-American poet,Lorna Goodison, whom I have had the great pleasure of getting to know in the course of writing this piece. Thework was commissioned by a friend from my undergraduate college years at The Eastman School of Music,Maury Okun, trombonist and director of the Detroit Chamber Winds And Strings.The work was premiered in 2011 by bass-baritone Daniel Washington, trombonist and U. of Michigan facultymember David Jackson, and the string section of the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Daniel and Davidgave the second performance of the work with Lorna Goodison and Maury Okun in attendance at The JuilliardSchool the following year.I was approached by Maury Okun and David Jackson to write this piece as a tribute to Maury’s father who hadrecently passed away. They also introduced me to their colleague and friend Lorna Goodison, suggesting herpoetry. Reading several volumes of her work, I was absolutely captivated by the vivid imagery and beautifulmessages of her words. I chose five of the poems, forming a cycle about life and death and home and parents.Lorna is originally from Jamaica, and the rich, vivid imagery, language and story lines of her poems beautifullyreflect her roots. The work, in the tradition of Brahms’ songs for voice, viola, and piano, features a singer withan obligato lyric instrumental line, which, in my piece, is the trombone, an instrument that blends so beautifullywith the sound of a bass singer.The first song, “O Love You So Fear the Dark” is hopeful and uplifting, describing enduring love throughoutthe twists and turns of our lives. The music is strong and declamatory, but also tender. The second song, “GodA Me” actually portrays a fish in Jamaica which is almost amphibious, flying up out of the water onto the land,and somehow, magically, returning to the water! For me this poem depicts the enjoyment of seeing parts of lifethat are fun and enjoyable and almost magical! The third song, “All Souls Day” depicts a holiday, somewhatmagical, but also full of life and energy. The final two songs are a tribute to our parents — “My Mother’s SeaChanty,” recalling a dream of seeing one’s mother, with lyrics of tender love and remembrance, and finally,“This is my Father’s Country” which is a tribute to the life of a loving father, recalling his spirit, his love of themusic Harry Belafonte, and his enduring spirit.Angel of Dreamers was a special piece for me to write: for and with friends, old and new, collaboratingwith a poet whose beautiful, meaningful, and touching words were so inspiring, performed by fantastic musicianswho poured themselves into the music, and commissioned by a dear friend from years gone by. THIS is whywe write and perform music!