Keith Allegretti 

composer

 

Three Nocturnes

for mixed a capella choir (2014)

I. First Fig

II. Epitaph

III. Dawn


 

Text

I.
First Fig
Edna St. Vincent Millay
 
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes and, oh, my friends--
It gives a lovely light!
 
II.
Epitaph
Mark Twain
 
Warm summer sun, shine kindly here;
Warm summer wind, blow softly here;
Green sod above, lie light, lie light--
Goodnight, dear heart, good night, good night.
 
III.
Dawn
Paul Laurence Dunbar
 
An angel, robed in spotless white,
Bent down and kissed the sleeping Night.
Night woke to blush; the sprite was gone.
Men saw the blush and called it Dawn.

Duration: ca. 5 minutes

 

Performance History

January 15, 2015
Minneapolis, Minnesota
First Readings Project
J. David Moore, Conductor