the breath of life: 2. first breath last breath, 3. the silent kiss -Dan Forrest (World Premiere)

Live recording of the world premiere performance of Dan Forrest's the breath of life, by Bel Canto Company, Welborn Young conducting, October 14, 2019, with the composer at the piano.
2. first breath last breath
Antler, 2006
When a baby boy is born
and the midwife
holds him up
as he takes
his first breath,
Place him over
the Mother’s face
so when the baby exhales
his first breath on Earth
the Mother breathes it.
And when the Mother dies,
her middle-aged son
the baby grew up to be -
by her side,
his head next to her head -
Follows her breathing with his breath
as it becomes shorter,
and as the dying Mother
exhales her last breath
her son inhales it.
3. the silent kiss
from A Man Young and Old, William Butler Yeats, 1928
In the long echoing street the laughing dancers throng,
The bride is carried to the bridegroom’s chamber
through torchlight and tumultuous song;
I celebrate the silent kiss that ends short life or long.
Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say;
Never to have drawn the breath of life,
never to have looked into the eye of day;
The second best’s a soft goodnight and quickly turn away.
We are pleased to share the world premiere performance of Dan Forrest’s the breath of life, recorded live on October 14, 2019. the breath of life was commissioned in memory of Suzanne Goddard, one of Bel Canto Company’s most ardent fans and dearest friends. Suzanne loved choral music, and we are elated to honor her life and spirit through this moving and timeless new work.
the breath of life is Dan Forrest's evocative reflection on the beauty and joy of new life juxtaposed with the pain of loss. Using choir, strings, piano, solo cello, percussion, organ, and electronics, Forrest creates a rich and poignant soundscape intertwining with profound and compelling texts from Scripture as well as classic and modern poetry. The emotional arc of the music beautifully mirrors that of life, from the miracle of birth to the bereavement of death, and the love that makes life rich and meaningful.
Dan Forrest
www.danforrest...
Dan Forrest has been described as having "an undoubted gift for writing beautiful music...that is truly magical" (NY Concert Review), with works hailed as "magnificent, cleverly constructed sound sculpture" (Classical Voice), and "superb writing...full of spine-tingling moments" (Salt Lake Tribune). In the last decade, Dan's music has become well established in the repertoire of choirs both in the U.S. and abroad, through both smaller works and his major works Requiem For the Living (2013), Jubilate Deo (2016), and LUX: The Dawn from On High (2018). Dan holds graduate degrees in composition and piano performance, and is active as a composer, educator, publisher, editor, and pianist.
Bel Canto: (It.) Beautiful Singing
www.belcantoco...
Bel Canto Company, conducted by Dr. Welborn Young is an ensemble of outstanding musicians dedicated to presenting exceptional, innovative, and engaging choral performances for all. Through music we strive to celebrate the entirety of human experience. We believe in the joy of singing and the power of live choral music to entertain, inspire, heal, build community, and express that which cannot be expressed by words or music alone.
Sharon Mulfinger Gerber
sharongerbermus...
Sharon Mulfinger Gerber is a full-time freelance cellist and devoted mother of three. She has studied, performed and taught in music festivals in France, England, Germany, Canada, and throughout the United States. In addition to performing, Sharon is an accomplished writer, arranger, and recording artist. She has produced four CD's featuring her original compositions and arrangements for cello and piano including her "Celloasis" project, and has collaborated with artists including Imogen Heap, Ryan O'Neal, and Rodrigo Rodriguez.