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Katerina Gimon
Katerina Gimon
The Mountain to the Moon
A story of unrequited love.
SATB a cappella
“The Mountain to the Moon” is a story of unrequited love: a mountain, bound to the earth, yearns to reach their distant love, the moon. Inspired by the beauty and mystery of nature, the tenors and basses begin the piece by imitating the sounds of the night: loons, rustling leaves, and distant animal calls. Atop, the sopranos and altos voice the mountain’s call to the distant moon (“luna”), a love song, with a haunting melody full of longing and mystery. As the piece and the night progress, the mountain becomes increasingly consumed with desire, reaching and reaching to the moon in heavens above. In the final measure of the piece, both come together at last as the moon sets and a new day begins.
This work was commissioned by Elise Naccarato and premiered by the University of Toronto Recital Choir (conducted by Elise Naccarato). In 2016, “The Mountain to the Moon” was named an Honourable mention in The International Orange Chorale of San Francisco’s “Freshly Squeezed” competition.
Composer’s Notes
Conductor’s note:
“’The Mountain to the Moon’ is an accessible work for SATB choir that allows the choir to explore a myriad of vocal techniques. The whimsy of Katerina’s simple text and short melodic idea, take the listener on an atmospheric journey. The opening sequence for the upper voices is tricky but worth the time to get right. As the piece evolves, Katerina infuses singable melodies with her recognizable aleatoric styles and gives opportunities for both the upper and lower voices to have solo moments.”
— Elise Naccarato, Myriad Ensemble, Artistic Director
Text
luna (moon)
amica mea (my love)
sweet, silver moon
hanging in the sky
you fade away at dawn
and return to me each night
oh, how I wish you could stay
but your home is in the stars
luna
amica mea
amor aeternus (love forever)
sweet, silver moon
if only we could be near
but I’m bound to the Earth
so I’m reaching to the heavens
to you
— Katerina Gimon
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Music from Katerina Gimon
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That Word (low voice)
Difficulty: 4Duration: less than 3 min. -
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That Word (high voice)
Difficulty: 4Duration: less than 3 min. -
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