Writ in Water
for mixed chorus (2018)
I. Sea Fever
From “Sea Fever” by John Masefield
II. Water is taught by thirst
From “Water is taught by thirst” and “I think that the Root of the Wind is Water” by Emily Dickinson
III. Creature from the Black Lagoon
From Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Creature from the Black Lagoon (film)
IV. Chartless
From “I Never Saw a Moor” by Emily Dickinson
V. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
From Moby Dick by Herman Melville
VI. Ferry Me Across the Water
From “Ferry Me Across the Water” and “What Are Heavy” by Christina Rossetti
VII. Mississippi Sequenza
From “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes
Publisher: Michael Daugherty Music
Duration: 30 minutes
World Premiere: University of Michigan Chamber Choir Jerry Blackstone, conductor April 14, 2018 | Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Commissioned by Jerry Blackstone
Program Note:
Writ in Water (2018) for mixed chorus was commissioned in celebration of Jerry Blackstone’s 30 phenomenal years as Director of Choirs at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance. The 30-minute composition is inspired by poetry, books and films reflecting on the wonders, mysteries and dangers of water. These include poems by John Masefield (1878-1967; British), Emily Dickinson (1830-1866; American), Herman Melville (1819-1891; American), Christina Rossetti (1830-1894; English) and Langston Hughes (1902-1967; American); and text from the science fiction film Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and Rachel Carson’s seminal book on water pollution, Silent Spring (1962).
–Michael Daugherty