Cloudburst

Music by Eric Whitacre
Text by Octavio Paz, adapted by Eric Whitacre
Translation by Lysander Kemp

Eric Whitacre composed "Cloudburst" in his early twenties, setting an excerpt of Octavio Paz's poem "El cántaro roto" to music that vividly depicts a desert rainstorm. The piece employs innovative techniques where performers snap fingers, clap hands, and use unconventional harmonies to create natural sounds of rainfall and thunder. "The Cloudburst is a ceremony, a celebration of the unleashed kinetic energy in all things," Whitacre explains, capturing the anticipation and relief of rain breaking through heat. Now among the most significant choral works of the past half-century, this composition continues to resonate with audiences through its powerful connection between music and nature.
—

El cántaro roto
La lluvia…

Ojos de agua de sombra,
ojos de agua de pozo,
ojos de agua de sueño.

Soles azules, verdes remolinos,
picos de luz que abren astros
como granadas.

Dime, tierra quemada, no hay agua?
hay sólo sangre, sólo hay polvo,
sólo pisadas de pies desnudos sobre la espina?

La lluvia despierta…

Hay que dormir con los ojos abiertos,
hay que soñar con les manos,
soñemos sueños activos de río buscando su cauce,
sueños de sol soñando sus mundos,
hay que soñar en voz alta,
hay que cantar hasta que el canto eche,
raíces, tronco, ramas, pájaros, astros,
hay que desenterrar la palabra perida,
recordar lo que dicen la sangre y la marea,
le tierra y el cuerpo,
volver al punto de partida…

The broken water-jar
The rain…
Eyes of shadow-water,
eyes of well-water,
eyes of dream-water.

Blue suns, green whirlwinds,
birdbeaks of light pecking open
pomegranate stars.

But tell me, burnt earth, is there no water?
Only blood, only dust,
Only naked footsteps on the thorns?

The rain awakens…

We must sleep with open eyes,
we must dream with our hands,
we must dream the dreams of a river seeking its course,
of the sun dreaming its worlds,
we must dream aloud,
we must sing till the song puts forth roots,
trunk, branches, birds, stars,
we must find the lost word,
and remember what the blood,
the tides, the earth, and the body say,
and return to the point of departure…

Earth Song

Music & Text by Frank Ticheli

It is not so often in choral music, where the composer is also the lyricist. Usually, a choral piece is set to a text that already exists, usually a poem or scripture. Frank Ticheli not only expresses his deeply felt words and heartbreak over failures of modernity, capitalism and climate change but has created a simple yet poignant composition of continual dynamic swells and subtle modulations. I imagine we've all had days praying, hoping, singing for a gentler world, a longing to be on the other side of these world altering trials. Through these struggles, the composer reminds us of the sanctuary that music can provide. I'd like to believe that we, all of us, have our own "Earth Song". Don't let yours go unheard.

- Justin Duckworth

—

Sing, Be, Live, See.
This dark stormy hour,
The wind, it stirs.
The scorched earth
cries out in vain:
O war and power,
You blind and blur,
The torn heart
cries out in pain.
But music and singing
Have been my refuge,
And music and singing
Shall be my light.
A lightof song
Shining Strong: Allelulia!
Through darkness, pain, and strife, I’ll
Sing, Be, Live, See…
Peace.

—— BRIEF PAUSE ——

From Wilderness

Music by Jeffrey Derus

Text from various sources

The movements are listed below, but the full text can be viewed here.

From Jeffrey — “From Wilderness” is a concert-length work and meditation on the transformative experience of traveling the Pacific Crest Trail. As you travel up the west coast from Campo, California to Manning Park, British Columbia, you will hear a wash of sounds that allows for reflection on the sacredness of nature, on the inspiring texts, and on yourself. The cello accompanies you as you discover the beauty and serenity of each stop. Through the healing properties of the seven chakras, the meditation is guided by the celestial sounds of crystal singing bowls. Vocal soloists give identity to the spirit animals you may encounter on the trail. Just as the trail leaves you with something you have learned, you are left with an experience that will last beyond the final cutoff, something that is with you forever. From landscapes to soundscapes, this work offers a moment for self-discovery and self-healing.

1. Root – Survival Chakra

2. Journey Into Yourself

3. Sacral – Emotions Chakra

4. Southern California
   Campo – A Country Pathway
   Warner Springs – The Singing Sands
   Cajon Pass – To a Star Seen at Twilight
   Agua Dolce – Desert Places
   Tehachapi Pass – Quote, Native American
   Walker Pass – Joshua Tree
   Kennedy Meadows – Auguries of Innocence

5. Solar Plexus – Vitality Chakra

6. Sierras
   Crabtree Meadows – Mountain Trails I
   Muir Pass – Mountain Trails I
   Tuolumne Meadows – Quote, John Muir
   Sonora Pass – The Cliff Temple IV
   Echo Lake – Mountain Trails VIII

7. Heart – Love Chakra

8. Northern California
   Donner Summit – The Deer Lay Down Their Bones
   Belden – A Thunderstorm
   McArthur-Burney Falls State Park – Quote, John Muir
   Castle Crags – Quote, John Muir
   Etna Summit – Summer Images
   Seiad Valley – Quote, Kate Chopin

9. Throat – Creativity Chakra

10. Oregon
    Crater Lake – Wilderness
    Brian Logsdon, soloist
    
    Mt. Thielsen Wilderness – Wilderness
    Jackie Hauck, soloist
    
    Diamond Peak Wilderness – Wilderness
    Grant Papastefan, soloist
    
    Mt. Washington Wilderness – Wilderness
    Jake Ullman, soloist
    
    Mt. Jefferson Wilderness – Wilderness
    Sara Huser & Megan Combs, soloists
    
    Mt. Hood Wilderness – Wilderness
    Brian Logsdon, Jackie Hauck, Grant Papastefan, & Sara Huser, soloists
    
    Cascade Locks – Wilderness

11. Third Eye – Intuition Chakra

12. Washington
    White Pass – Darkness
    Snoqualmie Pass – I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
    Stevens Pass – From Wilderness

13. Crown – Cosmic Chakra

14. Washington
    Rainy Pass – Walk

15. British Columbia
    Manning Park – Walk