Yag Naban
Yag Naban is set to a poem by the same name I wrote earlier in the Fall of 2021. The composition tells a story, that of myself and a tree. I begin the story by walking up to a tree. I see it and describe it in the simplest yet vivid ways. I sit under the tree and describe all its beauty. In essence, the narrative describes my relationship with nature and tells how a living tree provides me comfort when reflecting upon life.
Throughout the meditation, I fall into a trance and reflect on loneliness and sadness. However, I am awakened to find that I am not alone and therefore not sad, for I am with a tree, and the tree will always be my companion, even though I may not be around other people. I feel blessed to wake up, feel, see, and listen to nature. I hope this mediation can provide, to those who listen to it, an experience of peace and comfort. May it paint a picture of an infinite beauty to soothe, calm, and heal the soul, especially during times of solitude.
BACKGROUND
PREMIERE: University of North Carolina Greensboro Chorale, Carole Ott Coelho, conductor. November 19, 2022
YAG NABAN (THE LIVING TREE)
by Frank Duarte
THE TEXT
Nde na tub yag.
Bab ro’. Ro’ nde.
Bauyux na yag.
Kët nabiz nde’.
Naga’ nde.
Bndahg yag tiez.
Nare zuba lo guizha’a. Caye lo yag.
Yag cagwe dizh.
Yag cagwe dizh nax.
Chi zu wa tub nare, naalas nare.
Chi zu wa nare kong yag, naza nare.
Yag na xmiwa.
Yag na naban.
Nare nabani’a.
This is a tree.
It has grown, it is big.
The tree is old.
It is not dry.
It is green.
Its leaves are beautiful.
I sit on the grass. I see the tree.
The tree speaks.
The tree speaks sweet words.
When I am alone, I am sad.
When I am with this tree, I am happy.
The tree is my friend.
The tree is alive.
I am alive.
WOODWINDS
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2
Bassoon 1
Bassoon 2
B♭ Clarinet 1
B♭ Clarinet 2
B♭ Clarinet 3
B♭ Clarinet 4
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
BRASS
B♭ Trumpet 1
B♭ Trumpet 2
B♭ Trumpet 3
Horn in F 1-3
Horn in F 2-4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3 -(Bass Trombone)
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
PERCUSSION
Percussion 1-(Crotales, Crash Cymbals, Triangle)
Percussion 2-(Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 3-(Wine Glasses, Bass Drum, Mark Tree)
INTRUMENTATION LIST
DURATION
Approx. 7 Minutes
DATE OF COMPOSITION
2022. transcr. 2023
INSTRUMENTATION
SSAATTBB Choir, A capella
LEVEL
Medium-Hard