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Joan Szymko
Joan Szymko Music
Invitation to the Dance
A mixed chorus setting of mystical poets featuring unconventional accompanying forces.
SATB, pitched bottles, cb (may substitute with accordion) a cappella , hard shoe dancer (may substitute with bodhrain)
This colorful, varied trio of settings for advanced ensemble was composed along with seven other works during a 10 week period over the summer of 2002, to be premiered in an all-Szymko program entitled a “A Choral Conspiracy” — mixed chorus settings of mystical poets featuring unconventional accompanying forces; e.g., bassoon trio, marimba ensemble, contrabass, singing bowl, accordion.
In “Invitation to the Dance,” beer bottles, and hard shoe dancer accompany Daniel Ladinsky’s renderings of the poetry of the Sufi mystic, Hafiz. No.1, “Where is the Door to the Tavern” is a rowdy, polyphonic celebration of under everything as a potential “door to god.” No.2, “Until,”— an introspective a cappella meditation features a poignant alto section solo. No.3, “The God Who Only Knows Four Words” is playful, fun, highly rhythmic with soprano soli (2) and presents an opportunity for dance
collaboration.
Text
1. Where is the door to the tavern?
Where is the door to God?
In the sound of a barking dog
In the ring of a hammer
In a drop of rain
In the face of everyone I see.
2. Until
I think we are frightened
every moment of our lives
Until we
Know
Him
3. Every child has known God
Every child has known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does
Anything weird,
But the God who knows only four words.
And keeps repeating them, saying:
“Come dance with Me.”
Come
Dance.
-All from the Penguin publication The Gift, Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master Copyright ©1999 Daniel Ladinsky Used by permission of David Ladinsky.
$6.00 per licensed PDF
Music from Joan Szymko Music
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Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind (Szymko)
Difficulty: 3Duration: less than 3 min. -
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