Embrace Creation
"Embrace Creation was commissioned by and written for the Tennessee Technological University Chorale, Craig Zamer, conductor. The four poems are by the immensely talented California-based artist, Gabriel Navar, whose work is noted for its sensual imagery. Drama features prominently in Embrace Creation and text painting abounds, highlighting Navar's beautiful poetry. This is the third time I have set Gabriel Navar's poetry (21 poems in all), the first being the large scale, nine movement Cantos Alegres (Joyful Songs) for solo baritone, choir, horn, piano and percussion commissioned by Jo-Michael Scheibe and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and the second, Divine Days for Choir and Wind Ensemble (8 poems), written for and commissioned by Western Kentucky University for its 2006 Centennial Celebration."
To have Gabriel at the world premiere, actively participating in the performance process will be an unprecedented experience for all. RARELY does both the composer and poet join together for the premiere - it will be a marvelous opportunity for both the performers and audience.
Embrace Creation will be performed by the Tennessee Tech Chorale, Craig Zamer, Conductor, with the Tenn Tech Faculty Woodwind Quintet. The music itself is very lush - full of warm harmonies which envelope the poetry. The pieces is in 4 sections (4 poems used: Honey, I love a small leaf like I love the entire forest, Reentrance, and Eternal Smile) - Paul Basler
The poems (and paintings)
Honey, I love a small leaf like I love the entire forest, Reentrance, Eternal Smile
| | I love the light on your skin
it falls like your timeless smile
over the golden air...
honey of my eyes
little by little
I lift the earth
its veins are hymns
of every being
in every grain
I can see
the timeless light
and in my hands
I feel them grow
I feel them grow
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Amo a una hojita como amo el bosque entero | | yes, it is true, I love a small leaf of the tree
like I love the entire tree
because it makes me live completely
and that is how I love
the entire forest
morning is a kiss,
the day, a caress,
and the night, an embrace,
a very strong embrace...
and when I embrace you with passion,
I embrace creation
when I love a small leaf
when I embrace you
I love the forest
I embrace creation
today and always
today and always
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Reentrance | | in love again, I embrace the blanket of sunlight
and indulge, flesh and spirit, on the festival of warmth
the sky darkens from a rich orange to twilight violets,
deepening colors that send my blood into a rising boil
upon entering the house, I leave my body at the door
and blissfully swim and wander into the rivers of thoughts
that overflow in my mind
I'm consumed by the memory of the ocean, land of water
and life, mother of waves, hypnotizing children who repeatedly
lick the shore like a tongue who's surfaces reflect the
twinkling lights in the sky
in love again, I bathe in the celestial tickle of dreams
and indulge, in full departure, on the magic of the night
the sight of the comet dazzles my being and crystallizes
my enchantments
its trail entrances me as I imagine it being as long as the
longest of miracles... I feel blessed
upon reentering my body, fire is my spirit and in an unconscious
sleep dance, I awaken into a euphoric spell
I hum, the rhythm is slow, not unlike ocean waves
night lifts its dark veil of indigos and shadows
I'm consumed once more by the melody of dayfall
young birds, old birds welcome the sun
I listen to their songs and embrace the blanket of light
its warmth is a gift,
a festival of life |
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Eternal Smile | may the atmosphere
always maintain
its honey skin
and may the light so tender
always kiss
your timeless
smile...
may there be no fear
in your heaven
and may the blood
of your archangel
feed and always sustain
your timeless
smile...
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