Twilight (2011)

Instrumentation: SSA Chorus, Cello, and Piano
Duration: 3'
Commission: Adrianna Mateo
Premiere: April 30, 2011 by Members of the NYU Steinhardt Vocal Performance Chorale (Paul Speiser, conductor), featuring cellist Amanda Gookin and pianist Ryan Homsey at NYU Steinhardt’s Blackbox Theatre

Program Note

In her poem, Olive Custance captures both the atmospheric quality of twilight and its period of uncertainty. Images of stillness are juxtaposed with ones of urgency. In turn, I wanted to explore the conflicting emotions of serenity and ecstasy that may accompany us during a divine experience or when we are on the brink of change. While there are a number of sacred references, the spiritual figure is cast as a woman who delivers a universal message of hope for our planet. I also strove to portray the darkness within the poem because it is in times of darkness that we find hope, and it is in these times that we need it most.

“Twilight” from The Yellow Book, Oct 1894, Vol.3.
By Olive Custance (1874-1944)

Spirit of Twilight, through your folded wings
I catch a glimpse of your averted face,
And rapturous on a sudden, my soul sings
“Is not this common earth a holy place?”

Spirit of Twilight, you are like a song
That sleeps, and waits a singer,—like a hymn
That God finds lovely and keeps near Him long,
Till it is choired by aureoled cherubim.

 Spirit of Twilight, in the golden gloom
Of dreamland dim I sought you, and I found
A woman sitting in a silent room
Full of white flowers that moved and made no sound.

These white flowers were the thoughts you bring to all,
And the room’s name is Mystery where you sit,
Woman whom we call Twilight, when night’s pall
You lift across our Earth to cover it.