The Cuckoo and the Moon
David Heuser
About this work:
The texts for this six movement work come from Matsuo Basho (translated into English).
I. Clouds
Clouds come from time to time
to bring to men a chance to rest
from looking at the Moon.
II. The Cuckoo’s Song
As the cuckoo flies,
its singing stretches out:
upon the water lies.
III. The Cuckoo
Little gray cuckoo:
sing and sing; and fly and fly –
Oh, so much to do!
IV. Bamboo Grove
Song of the cuckoo:
in the grove of great bamboos,
moonlight seeping through.
V. Where the Cuckoo Flies
Where the cuckoo flies
till it is lost to sight – out there
a lone island lies.
VI. The Harvest Moon
Harvest moon:
around the pond I wander
and the night is gone.
Year composed: 2004
Duration: 00:15:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus, Unaccompanied
Instrumentation: 1 S, 1 A, 1 T, 1 B