The Breeze at Dawn (2011)
The Breeze at Dawn
SATB Choir
(2012) 3:00
Program Note:
Have you ever denied yourself something you wanted because you thought you wanted something else even more? The Breeze at Dawn is about being blind to what one's true desires are. The poem tells the reader to not go back to sleep and instead to remain aware of their desires. It also tells them to ask if what they have is what they really want in life. People often go back and forth and never actually come to a decision.
In the music, a tonal center is very prominent but it eventually becomes obscured when the words “you must ask for what you really want” are sung. At the word “open,” everything clears up again, representing the idea of making a decision as the poem suggests.
Text by Rumi (1207-1273), Translation by Coleman Barks
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the door sill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep.