Floodlight, Starlight

For SATB Choir (with divisions)
(2012) 4 minutes
Text by Adam Strickson

Commissioned by Leeds University Union Music Society Chamber Choir conducted by Jessi Pywell and premiered at Leeds Town Hall on 20th March 2011.

Text

We danced by the golden owls,

looked up at the floodlit sky.

I’d like to see the stars, she said.

I’d like to see the stars.

Leeds was bright with the glow of lights

but not one star could we see.

The night is broken here, she said.

The night is broken here.

Oh where are the horse’s wings? she said

And where are the bear and twins?

Go west to find the moors, I said,

and east for the hills and sea.

The bear and twins are hiding here

above the city lights

but west and east they dance and ride

in the deep of Yorkshire night.

Review(s)

“A directly communicative setting of a text by Adam Strickson, describing efforts to see the stars through pollution in the skies above Leeds.” Paul Conway, Musical Opinion

Performance history (post-premiere)

30th November 2018 - The BBC Singers conducted by Ben Palmer at St. Giles' Cripplegate, London, UK

13th October 2018 - Cambridge Chorale conducted by Owain Park at Little St. Mary's Church, Cambridge, UK

16th September 2016 - The Delphian Singers conducted by Jessi Pywell at The Gresham Centre, London, UK

Buy now

Back