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About the Composer
Martha Hill Duncan
Graphite Publishing
Be Quiet, Wind
“Be quiet wind, a little while, and let me hear my heart.”
soprano, alto, piano
Both alto and soprano voices (either a duet or a choir) are beautifully and equally showcased in this unique duet which mimics the sound of wind chimes blowing in the wind. A clever but very singable canon in the middle makes for a wonderfully rich and contemporary sound.
Composer’s Notes
My inspiration for Singing in the Northland began in 1998 when my daughter Claire was about twelve years old. Her voice teacher, Dr. Nadia Izbitskaya, lamented the lack of expressive contemporary vocal music for young singers and presented me with the challenge of writing for my own daughter. As a transplanted Texan, living in Canada, I decided to concentrate on Canadian poetry and the first song I wrote was “Quiet,” with poetry by Marjorie Pickthall. The others in the collection followed over the years as my daughter grew up and continued singing. This collection is dedicated to Claire for her patience, humour, insights and moreover, her beautiful and expressive voice.
Text
Be quiet, wind, a little while,
And let me hear my heart.
You chiming rivulet still your chant
And stealthily depart.
You whisperings in the aspen leaves,
You far-heard whip-poor-will,
You slow drop spilling from the rose—
You, even you, be still.
I must have infinite silence now,
Lest I should miss one word
Of all my heart would say to me—
Now, when its deeps are stirred.
Hardly I dare my breath to draw
Lest breathing break the spell,—
While we commune, my heart and I,
In dreams too deep to tell.
– Charles G.D. Roberts (1860-1943)
$3.50 per licensed PDF
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