"Heaven" was composed in January of 2008 as a gift for J.D. Burnet, a very talented choral conductor and wonderful person whom I had the pleasure of singing under in the San Jose State Concert Choir during the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008. I composed the piece when I heard about the recent passing of J.D.'s partner and that he would not be returning to conduct the choir in the fall of 2008. I wanted to give him something to show my support for him and thank him for all that he had taught and given to my fellow choir members and I in our one year with him. The piece was presented to J.D. by a small chamber choir of his students and myself on May 21 st 2008 at J.D.'s going away party.
The text is by the nineteenth century English poet Gerald Manley Hopkins and its original title is "Heaven-Haven". This a capella setting of the text begins and ends with a vocalize on Ooo, is written in four part SATB, and is of a medium difficulty level.
Heaven-Haven (pub. 1918) - Gerald Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
I have desired to go
Where springs not fail,
To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail
And a few lilies blow.
And I have asked to be
Where no storms come,
Where the green* swell is in the havens dumb,
And out of the swing of the sea.
*the word green is omitted form Daniel Foley's setting of the poem
4 pages, 8 ½ x 11 score, 2'30" duration
Catalogue No. 03005
(minumum order quantity is 12)
