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.
© 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)
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