The moon above keeps watch tonight
For Soprano, Flute, Viola, Harp, and Piano
PERUSALSCORE
Nicky Sohn
The moon above keeps watch tonight
For
Soprano, Flute, Viola, Harp, and Piano
(2020)
PERUSALSCORE
Instrumentation
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Soprano
Flute Viola Harp
Piano
Duration - ca. 7 minutes
“Te Moon Above Keeps Watch Tonight” was commissioned by the Dacamera Young Artist Program. Librettist Amanda Hollander and I have been collaborating to write an opera based on Gwangsoon Ryu, a war heroine of Korea, for several years. She made a trip out to Korea to do more research on the subject matter earlier last year and she wrote this portion of the text during that time. As we were working together very closely, she would show me the text as soon as she had something, and the moment I saw the lullaby text, I immediately fell in love with it—somehow, the melody came right into my head at first sight. I have not had a proper chance to really realize the work until this commission came to me, and I am so grateful I could finally showcase this beautiful text.
Text:
Written by Amanda Hollander
Te moon above keeps watch tonight.
Sleep safely in her patient light.
Dark stars gaze down to watch the snow
Your room warm in the candle’s glow
Don’t fear the sun
When dawn is far
Don’t hide your face
From cloud and star
Dream of pinecones
Dream of rain
Dream of wind-tossed
Grass and leaves
Te mountain bends her snowy head
To guard you as you sleep in bed
Te moss and rose await their birth
While hush of winter stills the earth
Dream of springtime
Dream of trees
Dream of blossoms
Shaken free
Te moon keeps watch for you tonight.
She whispers stories with her light.
Te sun will fall and dreams will fly.
Te moon will open up the sky.
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Nicky Sohn
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Sohn: The moon above keeps watch tonight JAT-165-059-SP