Pido Silencio (2004)
For soprano, clarinet, and strings, 15′
Written for sopranist Zachary Gordin
Sample Score
Excerpt:
David Milnes, conductor; Zachary Gordin, sopranist; Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players
About the Music
I wrote Pido Silencio for singer Zachary Gordin, who in 2004 was a sopranist, meaning a male singer who performs in an extraordinarily high range. The piece may also be performed by female sopranos. Its text, by Pablo Neruda, begins as a declaration of love and ends as metaphysical self-reflection. The delicacy of the texture and harmony in the piece is my take on the poignancy of Neruda’s words.