Under the Dome of Heaven

for Soprano & Piano

I - Alone at Night

II - Dancing Upon the Shore

III - O Wind, Where Have you Been?

Duration: 10'

Movements can be performed individually, or as a complete cycle.

Commissioned by Ruby Hughes and Huw Watkins as part of their recital at Theatr Clwyd, Wrexham. This funded through the support of the Vaughan Williams Foundation.

Programme Note:

Under the Dome of Heaven sets three poems that all depict nature in contrasting ways. In this work, I wanted to place the soprano at the forefront of the musical drama, as previous cycles of mine had always built upon my affinity towards the piano. These three short movements, have a traditional title (i.e. nocturne, gigue and postlude) that indicates their general mood as well as a more descriptive title that draws from the text being text.

Across the cycle the singer explores various moods and atmospheres, the first being contemplative and thoughtful, evoking the evening night sky from a text by Sera Teasdale. The second is rhythmic and full of vitality, taking inspiration from the baroque dance form. The third and final movement, is a choral and returns to the thoughtfulness of the opening movement. However this time, with a hint of nostalgia and melancholy which is explored in the poem by Christina Rossetti.

Recording: