Nature Songs (2016)
about
This cycle is comprised of four songs, all based on poems from Janet Lewis' unfortunately out-of-print "Dear Past" poetry collection. I chose to set these particular poems because I was drawn to the way they each evoked simple and beautiful natural images – from the spider spinning its web in the early morning light, to the quick hummingbirds contrasted with the still perched cedar birds, to the power of the quietly moving river – while also eluding to a deeper meaning.
Commissioned by Jill Morgan Brenner for the second season of I Sing Words: The Poetry Project. Learn more here.
instrumentation
Soprano voice, piano
duration
ca. 9 minutes
performances
November 9, 2018
Winnie Nieh Solo Benefit Recital with pianist Paul Dab, Zion Lutheran Church, San Francisco, CA
Winnie Nieh – soprano, Paul Dab – piano
October 6, 2017
A Woman's Point of View – An Evening of Art Song, Center for New Music, San Francisco, CA
Winnie Nieh – soprano, Paul Dab – piano
February 10, 2017
I Sing Words: The Poetry Project, Center for New Music, San Francisco, CA
Jill Morgan Brenner – soprano, Paul Dab – piano
February 5, 2017*
I Sing Words: The Poetry Project, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sol Joseph Recital Hall, San Francisco, CA
Jill Morgan Brenner – soprano, Paul Dab – piano
*Indicates a world premiere