VOCAL - Nature Calls (1999) Program note
In 1999 I was commissioned by the Cactus Pear Music Festival in San Antonio, Texas to write a cycle of songs for baritone Timothy Jones and pianist Jeffrey Sykes. For texts I chose nature themes by poets from several generations, thus the title "Nature Calls". "Spider Love" was a commissioned lyric from the American poet Wendy S. Walters, "Mushrooms" is an eerie forecast by the great poet Sylvia Plath, and "Dog" is a serene reflection by San Antonio native Naomi Shihab Nye.
The cycle was premiered in July 1999. Many thanks to Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, who helped this work come to life.
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