Freshness, The

Poet/Lyricist: 

Rumi (1207-1273) translated by Coleman Barks

A sensuous setting of a Coleman Barks translation of the beloved Sufi poet, Rumi. Opening with a unison 
declamation, the vocal texture becomes more intense/dense as 
Rumi's text carries the listener deeper into his ecstatic 
realization: I can't explain the goings or the comings, 
you enter suddenly and I am nowhere again Inside the majesty. The rhythmic harp accompaniment was inspired by the traditional kora music of Mali, West Africa). The accompaniment work translates well to piano.

Level: 

Moderate
Item Voicing/Instrumentation Duration Price Audio View Score Quantity
JS-002 SATB, harp (or piano) 5:00 $2.75
JS-002D
PDF download
SATB, harp (or piano) 5:00 $2.00
JS-003 SSAA, harp (or piano) 5:00 $2.75 https://joanszymko.com/sites/joanszymko.com/files/VMP002-003The%20Freshness_0.mp3
JS-003D
PDF download
SSAA, harp (or piano) 5:00 $2.00

Audio Credits: 

Belle Voce, Margaret Green conductor

Publisher: 

Joan Szymko
Text

The Freshness

When it's cold and raining,

you are more beautiful.
And the snow brings me

even closer to your lips.
The inner secret, that which was never born,

you are that freshness, and I am with you now.
I can't explain the goings,

or the comings. You enter suddenly,
and I am nowhere again.

Inside the majesty.

Reviews: 

"The Freshness was delightful to work with ... I got a lot of comments that it was people's 'favorite piece'"  — Betty Busch, Director, Jubliate!