Santa Barbara Music

Libretto: Euan Tait
Music: Kim Andre Arnesen
Format: Book (Major Work)
Voicing: SATB and Soprano with piano

Labelled a masterpiece by all who have heard it, this work received its premiere in Norway performed by Conspirare and conducted by Craig Hella Johnson. Setting a profound text by Euan Tait, composer Arnesen has again created a very special addition to the library of major works.
Duration: 70:00

FROM THE POET, Euan Tait:
The Wound in the Water explores the theme of Mammon by singing of our exile and the wounding of our world, of the beauty of the earth, and of the struggle of profoundly divided humanity towards a shared song. Mammon, the traditional symbol of the love of greed and money, is a force that divides us, both internally -- we become divided from ourselves, from our capacity for love -- and communally -- human beings become creatures of competition and conflict. Our relationship with ourselves, others, and the vividly living planet that is our home, slowly erodes and then collapses -- and we come to live as homeless exiles in this threefold sense. This work recognizes the long journey towards healing that we have to undergo, and ends with a fragile attempt at a shared song.

Movements:

• Part 1: The Cry of the Sea
  • Movement 1: Mammon in the Mind's Ocean
  • Movement 2: I Call To You
  • Movement 3: The Wound in the Water
  • Movement 4: The Song of the Sea
  • Movement 5: The Cry of the Sea
  • Movement 6: Interlude 1 - Spirit, Help Us
• Part 2: The Cries of Exile
  • Movement 7: Song of Sea Exile
  • Movement 8: The Shadow of the Boat
  • Movement 9: The Strangers
  • Movement 10: The Song of Love
  • Movement 11: Interlude 2 - Spirit, Help Me
• Part 3: The Heart of the Singer
  • Movement 12: The Singer's Dance
  • Movement 13: The Singer's Voice
  • Movement 14: Sea-Singer
  • Movement 15: Epilogue