Water From Your Spring

Copyright ©2001 Ann Millikan. All Rights Reserved.

Text: Jalaluddin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

Duration: 22:00

Instrumentation: Soprano, flute (alto), clarinet (bass), bassoon, percussion (tom-toms, roto-toms, tenor drum, bass drum, vibraphone, water tam-tam), piano, violin, cello, double bass

1. A Call to Awaken – “Quietness”

2. Sacrifice – “The Friend comes…”

3. Longing – “Water From Your Spring”

4. Surrendering – “Dissolver of Sugar”

5. Rapture – “A Great Wagon”

6. Union – “The Freshness”

I chose six poems by 13th century Persian mystic Jalaluddin Rumi that together tell a story of spiritual transformation. They are set as one extended piece, rather than as a song cycle. Having spent many months studying the poems in Farsi, I discovered the amazing complexity in Rumi’s use of metaphor, and the innate musicality of the Farsi language itself. As I composed the piece I attempted to bring out musically characteristics that didn’t always come through in translation. Water From Your Spring is contemplative and intimate, dynamic and rhythmically vibrant, and rich with orchestral texture and layering. I wanted the voice to be surrounded by sound, rather than accompanied. The soprano part is full of dynamic and expressive contrast, encompasses a wide range, and varies between melodic and chromatic lines. Premiered by the California EAR Unit with soprano Jacqueline Bobak, February 16 & 17, 2001, as part of my Artistic Residency at the Berkeley Art Center in Berkeley, CA.

SDPC 080 01 Score $25

SDPC 080 02 Parts $35