Symphony No. 2, “Litanies of Love and Rain” (2004) for orchestra is a symphonic work in one
movement. It is dedicated to Marisa Green.
The work is inspired by a poem (“Desiring the Solicitude of Rain”) by American poet Kathleen
Wakefield. The landscape of rich imagery in Wakefield’s poem drives the extra-musical inspiration
of this work. Musical material from the earlier vocal work is re-imagined in a purely orchestral
context.
Wakefield’s poem contains images and messages of love and journey amidst the desire for the
coming of rain. It is these ideas which provided the poetic conception of the work.
Throughout the piece, the winds and brass play an extensive lyric and melodic role. A strand of
singing lyricism runs throughout. Instruments are always exploring and highlighting the resonances
in melodic and contrapuntal lines of other instruments.
