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.

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Text

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We danced by the golden owls,

looked up at the floodlit sky.

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I’d like to see the stars, she said.

I’d like to see the stars.

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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.

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Oh where are the horse’s wings? she said

And where are the bear and twins?

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Go west to find the moors, I said,

and east for the hills and sea.

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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.

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© Adam Strickson

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)

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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