Song for Mother Gaia
While perusing for a set of poems, I stumbled upon “June Night” by Sara Teasdale. Like most of Sara’s poetry, this poem has a solemnity to it. Immediately upon reading her poetry, three words came to mind: solitude, sincerity, and love.
I adapted the poem into the following text:
Oh, Earth you are too dear tonight,
How can I sleep, while all around
Floats rainy fragrance and the far
Deep voice of the ocean that talks to the ground?Oh Earth, you gave me all I have, I love you, Earth.
This adapted text resulted in Song for Mother Gaia, which is just that – a song for Earth, showcasing my love for our beautiful planet. I have always loved nature, and part of that love, I believe, comes from the fact that some form of it has always surrounded me. This composition explores many different colors that mimic a beautiful transient moment of daydreaming, appreciating the wonders and beauty of what I call this huge green planet, home.
BACKGROUND
TRANSCRIPTION PREMIERE: Maryland Band Directors Band, Adrian Holton, conductor. September 29, 2022.
“June Night” from Flame and Shadow
by Sarah Teasdale
Oh Earth, you are too dear to-night,
How can I sleep while all around
Floats rainy fragrance and the far
Deep voice of the ocean that talks to the ground?
Oh Earth, you gave me all I have,
I love you, I love you,— oh what have I
That I can give you in return —
Except my body after I die?
THE TEXT
WOODWINDS
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb CLarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
BRASS
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Horn in F 1-3
Horn in F 2-4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3 - (Bass Trombone)
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Harp
PERCUSSION
Percussion - Bass Drum
INSTRUMENTATION LIST
DURATION
Approx. 4 Minutes
DATE OF COMPOSITION
2019. Transc., 2022
INSTRUMENTATION
Wind Band
LEVEL
Medium