COLLECTED STORIES 2018–19
SONGS FROM THE ROAD
Trad. Two Sisters Mahler (arr. Iain Farrington) Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen Nico Muhly The Only Tune Du Yun Where We Lost Our Shadows (world premiere) With Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Ali Sethi (voice), Sam Amidon (voice/guitar), Shayna Dunkelman (percussion), Nicholas Collon (conductor) and film by Khaled Jarrar Sunday 20 January 2019, 4pm Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre The Orchestral Theatre: The Claus Moser Series at Southbank Centre 36
SONGS FROM THE ROAD
After ‘Ging Heut’ Morgen über’s Feld’ – Gustav Mahler I went this morning across the fields, dew clinging still to every blade of grass. The merry finch sang to me: You there, good morning! You, you! What a fine world this is! And the bluebell at the edge of the field rang, with merry spirits and tiny bells, a morning welcome. And in the sunshine, the world began to glitter. Everything gained sound and colour. Flower and bird sang: Good day! Is it not a fair world? You, you! Is it not a fair world? 37
Now will my happiness begin? No, no – the happiness I mean can never bloom for me. § I went this morning across a sea. I went this morning across the fields, dew clinging still to every blade of grass. A bird I did not know sang to me and I could not heed it. But the blue flower at the edge of the field rang its welcome and I brightened my step. And in the sunshine the world began to glitter and flower and bird sang: Good day! Is it not a fair world? And I gambled my every beginning on the promise. §
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I went this morning across a sea I went this morning across a sea I went this morning across a sea and a road and a road and a road and a road and a road I went this morning across the fields dew clinging still to every blade of grass the bag pulling at my shoulder a bird I did not know sang and I could not heed it but knew it would not say my name it told me what a fine world this is and the blue flower at the edge of the field rang out and if it was not a bell of alarm still I did not hear its welcome and the light changed and the world shook and something asked is it not a fair world again and again and again and I do not know what to speak of happiness
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