Download the score – Two Shorter Songs

Range: D4 – F-sharp 5

Program Notes
Two Shorter Songs was originally composed for countertenor Jerry Hui and saxophonist Aaron Durst. Whenever a composer is given the opportunity to write for a countertenor with perfect pitch, we are honor-bound to do so! I am thrilled that Jerry and Aaron were open to me writing
for them.

“Beware”
I closed my hands upon a moth
And when I drew my palms apart,
Instead of dusty, broken wings
I found a bleeding human heart.
I crushed my foot upon a worm
That had my garden for its goal,
But when I drew my foot aside
I found a dying human soul.

“An Eclipse”
Let there be an end
And all be done;
Pass over, fair eclipse,
That hides the sun.
Dear face that shades the light
And shadows me,
Begone, and give me peace,
And set me free.

by Dora Sigerson Shorter