66 Times

for soprano and chamber ensemble (1993) - 17’
for soprano and chamber orchestra (1992) - 17’

Recording available at Albany Records, iTunes, and Amazon

The title, 66 Times, the Voice of Pines and Cedars, refers to the text of the last song in this piece, an English translation of a poem written by a Zen nun in the 18th century. The remaining texts are taken from the Kokinshu, a collection of Japanese poetry from the early 10th century. All of these poems share similar characteristics in the way they depict nature.  Each movement represents a different season, beginning and ending with autumn. 

There are two versions of this work.  In addition to this setting for soprano and chamber ensemble, there is a setting for soprano and chamber orchestra.  The orchestral version was premiered by the Cleveland Chamber Symphony Orchestra and the ensemble version was premiered in Boston at an Underground Composers Collective concert.

I.
    flying wing in wing
across the white clouds of the
    night sky   the wild geese
go   their very number
vivid beneath the autumn moon
 
II.  (combination of three poems)
    oh sweet nightingale
your first songs of the season
    unleashed unbidden
a love without an object   a
love without the hope of joy
 
    oh sweet nightingale
of the mountains   you who wait
    for midsummer's month
flutter your wings   raise your voice
sing us your unforgotten song
 
    oh sweet nightingale
do not return to your home
    in faraway hills
as long as you can sing   please
remain here in my garden
 
III.
    when the warm mists veil
all and buds swell   while yet the
    spring snows drift downward
even in the hibernal
village   crystal blossoms fall
 
IV. 
sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the
    changing scenes of autumn  
I have said enough about moonlight; ask me
    no more
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars
    when no wind stirs

Poems I-III have been used with permission given by Laurel Rasplica Rodd with Mary Catherine Henkenius.  _Kokinshu:  A Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern_.  Boston, MA, Cheng & Tsui, 1996.  (Reprint of clothbound edition published by Princeton University Press, 1984.)

Poem IV has been used with permission given by Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc